§ Mr. Gareth WardellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans she has to require manufacturers of mouthwashes which contain ethanol to provide warnings on product labels to the effect that the liquid could be carcinogenic;
(2) if she will make it a requirement on mouthwash manufacturers to specify clearly on the product label the percentage volume of the liquid comprising ethanol;
(3) if she will initiate a publicity campaign on the link between mouthwashes containing ethanol and the incidence of oral cancer.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe Department of Health considers that there is insufficient and conflicting evidence in relation to a link between ethanol and oral cancer and therefore does not intend to initiate a publicity campaign on this matter or introduce warnings on licensed products containing ethanol.
Ethanol is an excipient in a number of mouthwashes licensed as medicines in the United Kingdom. Regulations taking effect from 1 January 1994 will require all excipients in medicines to be declared in any package leaflet and the presence of ethanol will also have to be shown on the packaging.