§ Mr. AmosTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will meet the chief executive of the Tobacco Advisory Council to discuss its recent distribution of literature to hon. Members on 13 June; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorWe are aware of the literature concerning environmental tobacco smoke which the Tobacco Advisory Council has sent to hon. Members, but we do not feel that a meeting with the chief executive is necessary. The Government accept the finding of the independent scientific committee on smoking and health concerning environmental tobacco smoke, that there is a 10–30 per cent. increased risk of lung cancer among non-smokers exposed to environmental tobacco smoke through most of their lives than for non-smokers not so exposed. This increase could account for several hundred deaths per year. The Tobacco Advisory Council's literature reflects the fact that it disputes this position, but the council, like all other representative organisations, is entitled to draw attention to its own viewpoint.
§ Mr. AmosTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations he has received from the Tobacco Advisory Council about smoking and health; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorThe Tobacco Advisory Council has recently made written representations on the draft EC recommendation on banning smoking in public places (which was adopted as a mixed resolution at the Council of Ministers on 16 May), and on the draft EC directive on the advertising of tobacco products. In addition to this, officials have had meetings with the Tobacco Advisory Council at which a range of tobacco-related issues have been discussed.