Tobacco Control

Lord Wedderburn of Charlton asked Her Majesty's Government:

What consultations they will hold with relevant governments and the World Health Organisation on the levels of advertisement for, and sale of, cigarettes in Asia and the Far East.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon:
My Lords, there are no plans for direct consultation, but that is because the framework convention on tobacco control - a World Health Organisation treaty which came into effect in February - is the most appropriate mechanism for controlling tobacco use across the globe. The treaty includes provisions on tobacco advertising and price control. Many Asian nations have already ratified the treaty and we encourage others to follow.

Lord Wedderburn of Charlton:
My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that informative Answer. In the light of the report on the nature of the new advertising campaigns which the nicotine corporations are about to put forth with the aim of maintaining their profits in India and the Far East, especially by targeting women and, according to some alarming reports, children, does she think that on this glorious day when the Companies Bill has finally been published, a member of the Government might have a word in the ear of the cigarette companies about social responsibility in relation to smoking? Perhaps my noble friend could even have a word in the ear of the British American Tobacco company, with which distinguished public figures are so closely associated.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon:
My Lords, I thank my noble friend - or, as he might say, my noble comrade - for that question. The marketing initiatives and tactics of tobacco companies are, indeed, abhorrent for everyone, but especially when it comes to targeting women and children. They are desperate to find new markets for their lethal products. I hope very much that tobacco companies take their responsibilities diligently when it comes to social progress and social reform. However, the Government believe that the best way to counter such marketing is to have a comprehensive ban on advertising. That is precisely what the framework convention should - and, we hope, will - bring about.

Lord Chan:
My Lords, as the largest area in the world where advertising takes place is probably in China, and as President Hu will be here next week, will Her Majesty's Government, through the Minister, suggest that their Government adopt some of our good practices regarding the advertising of tobacco products, including the need not to influence younger people, particularly younger women, in relation to smoking?

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon:
My Lords, I am sure that my colleagues in the Government who meet their Chinese counterparts will be discussing such issues. However, I am glad to say that China is one of the 89 countries that have ratified the framework convention. Of course, ratifying a convention and implementing legislation are two very different things, but that is the first sign that China has the political will to do something about tobacco smoking.

Baroness Trumpington:
My Lords, does the Minister realise that older women also smoke occasionally? Do the mandarins in Brussels still pay money to Greece to grow tobacco?

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon:
My Lords, I am aware of the regrettable fact that some older women smoke, foolish although it may be. I believe that there are still subsidies for tobacco, but they are being phased out as an attempt is made to rebalance the common agricultural policy.

Baroness Neuberger:
My Lords, given that we all agree that banning the advertising of tobacco would be a very good thing, what will the noble Baroness and the UK, as holder of the presidency, do to ensure that the eight states in the EU that are not complying ban advertising?

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon:
My Lords, I am sure that my colleagues will have very vigorous discussions with their counterparts in those member states to ensure that they ban advertising. An EU directive came into force on 31 July that requires them to ban it.

Lord Faulkner of Worcester:
My Lords, is my noble friend aware that hundreds of confidential documents have been unearthed by litigation in the United States which reveal that British American Tobacco - the company to which my noble friend referred - has been complicit in the smuggling of cigarettes in the Far East, making use of criminal gangs and ensuring that their products find their way back to Europe? Can no action at all be taken in this country against what is a British company?

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon:
My Lords, I do not know what action can be taken about that company but I shall seek to find out. I am sure that whatever can be done will be done. However, that takes us on to the issue of smuggling, which is a global problem. The framework convention on tobacco control will also help to reduce that problem. The UK is pressing for a specific protocol under the convention on the problem of smuggling.

The Earl of Listowel:
My Lords, given the importance of young women in the market we are discussing, is the Minister not concerned about the effect of smoking during pregnancy, including low birth weights, and the developing evidence that smoking during pregnancy increases the prevalence of early-onset type 2 diabetes in the children from those births?

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon:
My Lords, the Government are well aware of the terrible effects of smoking during pregnancy. Everything is being done to educate young women, especially those who are likely to become pregnant or are pregnant, about the adverse effects of smoking on themselves and their babies and, therefore, our future generations.

© Lords Hansard 3 November 2005