Memorandum by Imperial Tobacco Group PLC
THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY AND THE HEALTH RISKS
OF SMOKING (TB 13)
SMOKING: A MATTER FOR INFORMED ADULT CHOICE
INTRODUCTION
138. Imperial produces tobacco products
to meet the demands of adults who choose to smoke with knowledge
of the risks associated with smoking. Imperial does not encourage
or want children to smoke.
Prevention of under-age smoking
139. Imperial has agreed with Government
many initiatives to prevent under-age smoking. For example, from
1986, voluntary agreements saw progressively tighter restrictions
on the placement of advertisements near schools or buildings which
may be used by people under 18 years old.
140. Imperial has participated in and helped
to fund several major initiatives aimed at preventing children
from smoking. In addition, Imperial has taken steps to reduce
the access of children to tobacco products. Research carried out
in about 1984 indicated that 88 per cent of retailers were aware
of the legal restrictions on cigarette sales to under 16s. In
1986, it was estimated that there were some 200,000 tobacco retail
outlets of all types in the UK, many of whom purchased cigarette
supplies from wholesalers or "cash-and-carries". Imperial
and the other UK tobacco companies cannot compel retailers to
observe the law. However, what Imperial can and has done is to
engage in initiatives, supported by the Government, to increase
awareness of and to encourage compliance with the law. Regrettably,
children under 16 years old are still able to purchase cigarettes.
141. In 1981, the TAC undertook a major
campaign to distribute point-of-sale material to retail outlets,
such as notices stating that under 16s should not ask for cigarettes
and that sales to children were illegal. In 1984, a further campaign
aimed at retailers was conducted by the TAC in conjunction with
all retail and wholesale associations whose members sold tobacco
products.
142. In 1986, Imperial and the other UK
tobacco companies committed themselves to spending £1 million
per annum in conducting a campaign with the retail trade at points-of-sale
and in the media to encourage support for the law against under-age
sales. The campaign operated from 1986 to 1989 with Imperial providing
approximately 40 per cent of the campaign funding. The campaign
aimed not only to educate retailers but also to increase awareness
of the law among the general public, and particularly amongst
children. As a result of the campaign, research showed that the
number of tobacco retail outlets displaying notices concerning
the law was increased from 24 per cent in 1986 to about 80 per
cent of principal retail outlets by the end of the campaign in
1989 and that retail awareness was nearly universal.
143. In 1991, the Children and Young Persons
(Protection from Tobacco) Act was enacted to strengthen the law
in relation to sales of cigarettes to under 16s. In order to support
the Government's tougher legislation, in January 1992, the TAC
sent an information pack to retailers explaining the new law and
later sent retailers the statutory notices which they were required
to display. The TAC also provided a telephone information service
to give assistance to retailers.
144. In 1997, a pilot campaign was launched
by the National Federation of Retail Newsagents ("NFRN")
in the Northeast of England. This was called "No Excuses"
and was both financially and operationally supported by Imperial
and the other UK tobacco companies. The campaign received prominent
newspaper publicity and the public support of local MPs. Campaign
packs were sent to NFRN members, schools and supermarkets and
there was also press advertising to raise awareness among parents
and the general public. Staff training was available to NFRN members
and a "stop n' tel" freephone hotline was made available
so that infringements of the law could be reported and passed
on by the hotline to trading standards officers. The campaign
was widely supported by parents, teachers and other community
bodies, but was not expanded because of a recognition that without
proof of age its success would be limited.
145. In 1999, the TMA has, together with
other commercial organisations, launched a non-profit scheme operated
through retailers, schools and a website to make available to
children and young adults a proof of age "CitizenCard"
which has the benefit of a photograph. The card will enable retailers
to comply with all laws restricting sales of particular products
to those over the specified age.
Public awareness of the risks associated with
smoking
146. Since the 1950s, there has been considerable
public and media interest in and discussion about smoking and
health issues.
147. The results of major studies in the
field of smoking and health and reports from scientific, medical
and public health bodies such as the MRC, RCP and the US Surgeon
General's Committee received extensive coverage in the newspapers,
and on television and radio.
148. From the late 1950s, the Government
and public health bodies have, by means of a series of public
health initiatives and statements, informed the public about the
risks associated with smoking, and have encouraged adults not
to smoke, or at least to reduce their smoking, and children not
to smoke at all. Early examples of their actions include:
— The issue by the Ministry of Education
in 1956 of a handbook called "Health Education in Schools"
which directed schools to instruct children about the relationship
between cigarette smoking and lung cancer, a copy of which was
given to all school leavers.
— Local health and education authorities
throughout the country, who until 1974 had statutory responsibility
for health education, conducted local health education campaigns
highlighting the danger associated with smoking. These campaigns
were targeted at both adults and children by means of advertising,
pamphlets, flyers, television features, meetings and anti-smoking
clinics.
— The 1962 RCP Report was immediately
circulated to local education authorities and the Minister of
Education asked for the co-operation of the authorities, teachers
and all who worked with children to warn the young in "every
possible way of the dangers to their future health of smoking
. . . and [to] discourage [them] from starting the smoking habit".
[159]
Lessons about smoking and health were introduced in schools as
part of the regular curriculum. The Ministry of Health issued
two posters in May 1962 warning of the dangers associated with
smoking and two more posters featuring teenagers were prepared
by the Ministry of Education for use in schools and youth clubs.
— Mobile units were launched by the
Minister of Health with full newspaper, TV and radio coverage.
The units travelled up and down the country giving film shows,
lectures and demonstrations concerning the dangers associated
with smoking. The main emphasis of the campaign was directed to
young audiences in schools and youth clubs.
149. From 1971, initially by agreement with
Imperial and other UK tobacco companies and since 1992 under European
legislation, Government health warnings have appeared on cigarette
packets.
150. As a result of this media reporting
and action by Government and public health bodies since the 1950s,
smokers have been made aware of the risks associated with smoking.
Those adult smokers who choose to start or continue smoking do
so with knowledge of this information.
151. Government and health bodies have consistently
advised against smoking and over 10 million smokers in the UK
and millions more elsewhere have stopped. While some smokers might
have difficulty in stopping, Imperial believes that smokers are
able to stop smoking if they choose to do so.
Conclusion
152. Imperial believes that smoking is a
matter for informed adult choice. About 15 million UK smokers
exercise their choice on a regular basis to continue to smoke.
153. Imperial does not encourage or want
children to smoke and supports measures to prevent them from smoking.
159 Enoch Powell orders new "Don't Smoke"
Campaign, 13 March 1962 Daily Express, page 6. Back
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