Clause 1 - Meaning of ``tobacco advertisement'' and ``tobacco product''.

Part of Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 11:30 am on 30 January 2001.

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Photo of Mr Ian Bruce Mr Ian Bruce Conservative, South Dorset 11:30, 30 January 2001

I, too, am interested in defining the word ``advertisement''. I hope that the Minister will accept that the Opposition are not attempting to help the tobacco industry to promote its products. I would be glad—the Chancellor would not be—if people did not smoke as much and if we could find an effective way to reduce tobacco consumption. That was achieved under the previous Government, but unfortunately consumption is now increasing—I am not going to point fingers because I do not think that it is increasing because of any deliberate act of the Government—and we have to tackle the problem.

Anyone in advertising will tell you, Mr. Malins, that the best form of advertising is not the paid-for, full-page advertisement in The Daily Telegraph, or whatever other medium; it is getting a company's story in an editorial. The story may say that a product, which is milder and does not contain as much nicotine—does not have this or that—is better for the consumer. The Government must define what they mean by that sort of information. After all, an advertisement is information.