Tobacco Packaging Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department of Health and Social Care
Angela Watkinson
Main Page: Angela Watkinson (Conservative - Hornchurch and Upminster)Department Debates - View all Angela Watkinson's debates with the Department of Health and Social Care
(11 years ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
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Jane Ellison
We have asked Sir Cyril to conduct an independent review and to weigh all the different evidence. I do not wish to seem to pre-empt the review, because it is important that it is independent, but I will say that I am not aware of any health organisations that are not in favour of plain packaging. Indeed, as the hon. Lady can imagine, such organisations have expressed the opposite view to me with considerable strength.
Dame Angela Watkinson (Hornchurch and Upminster) (Con)
Will the Minister remind the House of all the investment that the Government have already made in anti-smoking strategies so that no one smokes out of ignorance? Does she agree that the main responsibility for children’s smoking habits lies with their parents?
Jane Ellison
Of course we want parents to set a good example to their children and to try to prevent them from starting to smoke. The important public health measures to which my hon. Friend has referred are proceeding but, sadly, a great many children start smoking at a very young age.