Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will ensure that the UK delegation to the Ninth Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Conference in November 2021 takes the opportunity to speak about the UK’s progress on the implementation of tobacco harm reduction policies and the role of vaping in making that progress.

Departmental officials will be attending the virtual Ninth World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Conference of the Parties (COP9). Officials from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs will be attending the virtual Second Session of the Meeting of the Parties (MOP2). As COP9 and MOP2 are Government-led events, no other representatives will be attending.

Whilst the agenda and papers for COP9 and MOP2 have not been circulated, officials will use the opportunity to speak about the United Kingdom’s progress on the implementation of tobacco control policies. This will include, where relevant, the role of nicotine replacement therapy and e-cigarettes in supporting smokers to quit.