HC Deb 28 January 1997 vol 289 cc197-8W
Mr. Home Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the incidence of smoking-related diseases among service personnel and ex-service personnel; and how those figures compare with equivalent sections of the non-service population. [12408]

Mr. Soames

The information requested is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Home Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make it his policy to discourage cigarette smoking among service personnel. [12410]

Mr. Soames

The Ministry of Defence does not encourage smoking within the armed forces; indeed the aim is to create a non-smoking working environment, insofar as this reflects the wished of staff. The dangers of smoking are emphasised in the services through lectures to recruits and trainee officers, and unit medical officers health education sessions. It is now a matter of policy for all medical officers to promote anti-smoking health advice, particularly at medical examination for new recruits and on an opportunistic basis for existing personnel. In addition, personnel have access to both service generated literature and Health Education Authority booklets on physical fitness in which the adverse effects of smoking are highlighted.