Clause 1 - Meaning of ''tobacco advertisement'' and ''tobacco product''
Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Bill [Lords]
5:15 pm
Mr John Barrett (Edinburgh West, Liberal Democrat)
Hon. Members who have spoken have raised various matters, but limited points have been made on clause 1. For example, the advertising of cigarettes in white boxes has been mentioned but, no doubt, a company could produce a cigarette entitled ''White Box'', so that large numbers of white boxes in any supermarket would be advertising. There has been constant reference to clever lawyers finding loopholes in the Bill, but clever lawyers will always find loopholes. On clause 1, the references to advertising exclusions deal with several of the issues raised. For example, displays are dealt with in the Bill.
I should like the Minister to respond to the part of the amendment that refers to
''no inscriptions . . . on premises ordinarily used in the course of business''.
That point needs addressing in relation to premises where cigarettes are manufactured. For example, if a large Benson and Hedges factory were plastered with very large signs, including some on the roof that aircraft could see, would that be promotion of the product? That is the only issue raised up until now that I think that the Minister need clarify.