HC Deb 10 March 1999 vol 327 c273W
Mr. Pike

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what age limit he proposes to introduce for the purchase of lighter fuel refills; [75469]

(2) when he proposes to announce new regulations covering the sale of lighter fuel refills. [75468]

Mr. George Howarth

We are still considering the responses to the consultation paper on sales of gas lighter refills.

Mr. Pike

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what publicity he plans to produce on the dangers of lighter fuel refills; and if he will make a statement. [75470]

Ms Jowell

I have been asked to reply.

The Health Education Authority includes information on the risk of volatile substance abuse, including lighter refills, in its general publicity material and information leaflets on drugs misuse.

In addition, it is planning a publicity campaign targeted at retailers to raise awareness of the issue of volatile substance abuse. It will also inform retailers of their legal responsibilities when selling products that could be used for the purpose of volatile substance abuse.