HC Deb 26 June 1997 vol 296 cc619-20W
Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he proposes to take to discourage smoking(a) generally and (b) with particular reference to under 20-year-olds. [4987]

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how he intends to achieve "The Health of the Nation" targets to reduce the prevalence of smoking among 11 to 15-year-olds. [53181

Ms Jowell

The Government's strategy on smoking will be set out in detail in a White Paper later this year. This Paper will reflect the deliberations of the summit of national and international experts in the field of smoking reduction to be held on 14 July.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) of 10 June,Official Report, column 425, if he will make a statement on the number of 16 to 24-year-olds who smoke. [4986]

Ms Jowell

Smoking levels in this age group, particularly among young women, are a matter of serious concern. How best to influence the various age groups will be a topic for study at the summit of national and international experts in the field of smoking reduction to be held on 14 July.

Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he plans to increase awareness among the public of the dangers of passive smoking. [5085]

Ms Jowell

Reports published in this country by the Independent Scientific Committee on Smoking and Health (1988) and the Royal College of Physicians (1992) and by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (1993) have set out the health risks associated with passive smoking.

The Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health has been asked by the Chief Medical Officer to review the latest evidence and its report is expected later this year.

Mr. Chaytor

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the costs to the national health service of the use of tobacco. [5172]

Ms Jowell

Treatment costs to the National Health Service are not available on a year by year basis. Based on 1990 figures, the Health Education Authority's report "The Smoking Epidemic—A Prescription for Change", estimated that the annual cost to the NHS of treating smoking related diseases is £610 million.