§ Mr. DarlingTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proposals he has to promote the development and use of fire-safe cigarettes; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Butcher[holding answer 20 June 1988]: The United States interagency committee reported on 29 October 1987 that it was technically feasible to make cigarettes with reduced liability to ignite upholstered furniture.
The report further stated that the tar nicotine and carbon monoxide yields of such cigarettes were in line with the levels obtained from many popular brands, but added that further study of potential for causing disease would be required. The committee had not attempted to assess consumer acceptability of these "fire safe" cigarettes.
The policy recommendations of the interagency committee dated 23 December recommended an examination of the health aspect and consumer acceptability and I shall monitor the progress made in this further examination.