Clause 8 - Prohibition of free distributions
Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Bill
12:15 pm
Mr Ian Bruce (South Dorset, Conservative)
It is normal practice when inviting people to dinner in the course of any business, not only tobacco businesses, that at the end of the meal, someone comes round and asks whether one would like a brandy. At the same time, free cigars are offered. Although it can be argued that the individual is not attempting to promote the tobacco industry generally, he is promoting the smoking of cigars. The first time that the majority of people smoke a cigar is when they are given a free one. I thought that the clause was simply in place to catch the tobacco industry, but it will catch every business man who offers cigars to a group of people around a table.