§ Mr. Michael BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what studies his Department has carried out on the effectiveness of the Protection of Children (Tobacco) Act 1986 in preventing the purchase of tobacco products by children under the age of 16 years;
(2) what evidence there is of levels of usage by children under the age of 16 years of tobacco products of the type he recently announced his proposals to ban.
§ Mrs. CurrieBiennial surveys are carried out by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys of the smoking habits of schoolchildren aged I1 to 16. In 1986 it was found that 89 per cent. of regular smokers in this age group claimed that shops were a regular source of their cigarettes. In the same year there were 17 prosecutions of shopkeepers for selling cigarettes to children. Figures are not available on the use of oral tobacco products.
§ Mr. ForthTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what monitoring procedures were set in hand126W to assess the effectiveness of the voluntary marketing agreement entered into by United States Tobacco International on 18 April 1985;
(2) if he has any evidence of breaches by United States Tobacco International of that company's voluntary agreement with his Department;
(3) what data on unit sales figures and numbers of users are available in respect of those oral tobacco products he proposes to ban.
§ Mrs. CurrieNo special arrangements were set in hand to monitor the voluntary agreement with United States Tobacco International or to gather evidence of breaches, although we are aware of allegations concerning the marketing of Skoal Bandits to children which are the subject of court proceedings. Figures on the use of oral tobacco products are not available.