HL Deb 18 October 2000 vol 617 cc98-5WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have any specific proposals to highlight the dangers of passive smoking for children over 10. [HL3975]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

The Government's three-year, £100 million tobacco control programme is aimed at helping smokers to give up and non-smokers not to start. The fewer people smoke—in particular parents—the less likely it is that children will be exposed to environmental tobacco smoke. The current programme of tobacco education will continue to emphasise the dangers smokers pose to those around them and in particular the responsibility of parents in this area.

The Government have supported the introduction of the hospitality industry's Public Places Charter, which is aimed at improving facilities for non-smokers in hotels, pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues.

One of the statutory health warnings on cigarette packets is "Protect children: don't make them breathe your smoke". The United Kingdom has supported plans at a European level to increase the size of health warnings on tobacco products to increase their impact on smokers.