| Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Bill
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Mr. Ernie Ross: I have listened to the h Lady with interest. Does she know why the company originally chose the name Camel? If it chose the name because it is that of a well-known cigarette brand—even though it was used to market another product—and had enjoyed many years of sales based on that link, however tenuous, the company can hardly expect us not to say that it has had its good years but now we want to get rid of tobacco advertising and association with tobacco products. Mrs. Spelman: I do not know the precise reasons for the company's choice of the Camel logo. We have to legislate for here and now and it is unreasonable to visit the sins of the father on the grandchild—especially when the company has made such a great effort to move away from an emblem that mirrors that on the cigarette packet. The present logo in no way resembles the cigarette brand logo and we should recognise the company's endeavours to tackle genuine concerns that young people might buy its clothing because they have in the back of their minds the connection with an attractive cigarette brand. Mr. Ross: I drink Guinness. The company that produces and promotes Guinness is called Diageo. There could not be two more dissimilar words; indeed, there was a big debate about what Diageo meant. However, that does not stop me or other people drinking Guinness. The company does not have much of a leg to stand on. Mrs. Spelman: I suspect that the basic principle to which the hon. Gentleman refers comes under competition law—which is outside my sphere of competence. The question of whether start-up companies with logos similar to that of the original bearer of a logo can be perceived as having infringed on the market share of the original company is probably more accurately dealt with in the context of competition law. The amendment deals with the need to recognise the efforts of a company that distances itself from an emblem that clearly and identifiably resembles—or replicates—a cigarette brand logo. The company that we are debating has been in discussion with the Government and was actively encouraged to draft amendments to deal with its dilemma. There are no Government amendments to the clause—although some may be in the pipeline—and we do not seem to be addressing the problem. Does the Minister intend to bring forward proposals to deal with difficulties such as those faced by Worldwide Brands? Yvette Cooper: The clause provides regulation-making powers on brand sharing. We intend to consult on the detail of the regulations because we recognise that complex issues are involved. As I said on Second Reading, the regulations do not aim to undermine genuine business diversification. If tobacco companies wish to diversify into clothing or any other trade and if they adopt completely separate branding and their intention is not to promote a tobacco product, such diversification would be welcomed, but we do not want to permit tobacco companies to move into alternative products and alternative uses of their brand that clearly aim to promote tobacco products. A couple of documents that were extracted from the tobacco companies by the Health Committee show how the tobacco industry tries to get around rules that are designed to control it. The first said:
We cannot therefore accept an amendment that would narrow the clause to simply refer to branding that is identical to that used by tobacco companies. There is clearly a distinction between brands that are separate and are not used to promote a tobacco product. We have no intention of including separate and distinct branding in the regulations. That is why we will consult in detail. We will allow companies to make representations to ensure that legitimate business diversification is encouraged under the Bill, but we cannot accept the word ``identical''. Mr. Luff: On consultation, I understand the Minister's objectives, which are honourable and noble in the context of the Bill. However, she is exploring a difficult area in which many value judgments will be required. I once advised the Alfred Dunhill luxury goods company, which did not deal with the tobacco end of the business. There is huge room for debate about where the promotion lies. I hope that the consultation will be genuine, thorough and unrushed. It is important for genuine businesses such as the Alfred Dunhill luxury goods company not to be caught up by over-rushed regulations. Yvette Cooper: We certainly recognise the need for proper and thorough consultation. We are also keen to consult with the European Commission on its proposals. We recognise that this is a complex area, and we are keen to have a thorough and effective consultation process, but equally we do not want to allow a massive loophole into the Bill that would permit all sorts of products that are just slightly different from the original brand to be used to promote tobacco products. Mrs. Spelman: I cannot help feeling that we are putting the cart before the horse here. Surely this massive consultation exercise should have taken place before the Bill reached Committee. I feel uneasy about letting through the clause without registering my objections. It is unnecessarily restrictive. We have been promised a big consultation exercise. However, that company has made an effort—no doubt it spent a great deal of money on completely changing its logo—that could prove to be of no avail. I would be dissatisfied to let things stand. I have no desire to create a massive loophole that will allow through products that will increase smoking prevalence, but the fact that tobacco companies diversify into other markets, such as clothing, does not automatically lead to people smoking more cigarettes. There is not a tight correlation between the two. I would certainly like to encourage tobacco companies to diversify. I would far rather they produced something else, rather than tobacco that is associated with public health risks. The Minister has put me in a difficult predicament because I will not know the outcome of her big consultation process in time to inform my decision on whether to let this clause through unamended. That decision has to be made now. I need to find some way of signalling to those who will consider the Bill in another place my concerns about this and one or two other clauses. Yvette Cooper: I should inform the hon. Lady that Parliament will have the opportunity to discuss the regulations as they will be laid through the affirmative procedure. Mrs. Spelman: I accept that we shall have the chance to debate them, but if the Government have anything like their current majority, we will not be able to alter them effectively. My best course of action is to press amendment No. 14 to a Division, to signal my concern about this clause. Question put, That the amendment be made— The Committee divided: Ayes 4, Noes 9.
Division No. 3]
AYES
NOES
Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill Mr. Ian Bruce: This will be a 30-second speech. I understand that the Whips want us to finish by 7 o'clock. We are in great difficulty because we have not seen the regulations, which really should have been produced in draft form for the Committee. Here is a branded packet of cigarettes with the House of Commons logo. We promote tobacco in the House of Commons using our brand. It is so important that we get this right and I want to signal that to allow the provision through without having seen the regulations is a travesty. Question put and agreed to. Clause 10 ordered to stand part of the Bill. Further consideration adjourned.—[Mrs. McGuire.] Adjourned accordingly at Seven o'clock till Thursday 8 February at Nine o'clock.
The following Members attended the Committee:
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| Prepared 6 January 2001 | |
