Labour prepares to extend tobacco ban to direct marketing

The Government is set to extend its proposed ban on tobacco

promotion to include severe curbs on direct marketing. The move comes

just two weeks after the pressure group, Action On Smoking, raised the

issue.

Health ministers want to stop the tobacco industry getting around an ad

ban by switching its pounds 50 million spend below the line.

One Government source said this week: ’An advertising ban on its own

will not be enough. The tobacco companies will have a huge financial

interest in getting round it. For every door that is closed, another 14

open. Ministers are not interested in gesture politics. They want their

legislation to be watertight.’

Tessa Jowell, the public health minister, has asked officials for a

report on the ways in which the tobacco industry will seek to recruit

smokers once the Government’s ban takes effect.

Health ministers have decided on a three-stage plan to combat

smoking.

A summit of international experts in July will lead to a White Paper,

due to be published in October, which is likely to include a draft bill.

After consultation with the public, legislation will be introduced.

This article was first published on Campaign