§ John RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions his Department is having with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on(a) the contents of and (b) international support for the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control. [113110]
§ Ms BlearsThe Government have participated in negotiations on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and have sought views on the content of this Convention from other Departments, including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, throughout the negotiating process. Officials are in contact with those in Brussels and Geneva and with embassies in those countries which have concerns with the text, to work towards satisfactory adoption of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control at the World Health Assembly later this month.
§ John RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he is having with(a) the British Medical Association, (b) his European counterparts and (c) others regarding international measures to reduce smoking. [113109]
§ Ms BlearsThe Department has received representations from the British Medical Association and others in support of international measures to reduce smoking. In particular, recent representations have focused on the draft Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which is due to be adopted at the World Health Assembly later this month. Discussions within the European Union are focused on preparing a common position in support of the adoption of the Convention at the World Health Assembly. As part of this, my right hon. Friend, the Minister of State for Health, has discussed the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control with a German Health Minister. The Government have been firmly supportive of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, as have most other EU countries.