HC Deb 26 July 1985 vol 83 cc960-1W
Mr. Dobson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what advice the Chief Medical Officer has issued to medical practitioners in England and Wales on the dangers of snuff dipping; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Patten

The Chief Medical Officer informed doctors on 18 April of advice from the Department's committee on carcinogenicity of chemicals in food, consumer products and the environment that snuff-dipping increased the likelihood of oral cancer. Doctors were told that although snuff-dipping was less dangerous than cigarette smoking and its use as an alterntive to cigarettes would lead to lower risks of cancer and other conditions, it could not be recommended as an aid to smokers to give up the habit. For non-smokers snuff-dipping would undoubtedly increase the risk of cancer.

Mr. Sims

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information is available to him as to the connection between the incidence of mortality of mouth cancer and the practice of snuff dipping by women; from what sources this is drawn; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Patten

I shall write to my hon. Friend.