House of Commons · Adjournment Debate

WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

05 March 2020 · 1 other contributor

Opened by Bob Blackman Con Harrow East

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Bob Blackman raised concerns about who framework convention on tobacco control in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

The UK has seen a decline in smoking rates, but pregnant women and those on low incomes continue to struggle with quitting.
The tobacco industry offers 1 billion over ten years for relaxed advertising restrictions on heated tobacco products, which goes against WHO's framework convention obligations.
The Minister pledges to continue working towards being smoke-free by 2030 and commits to speaking with HM Treasury about financial measures.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Bob Blackman Con Harrow East

The UK has seen a decline in smoking rates, but pregnant women and those on low incomes continue to struggle with quitting. The MP highlights the tobacco industry's attempts to undermine public health policies by offering £1 billion over ten years for relaxed advertising restrictions on heated tobacco products, which goes against WHO’s framework convention obligations. Funding is needed for public education campaigns and local enforcement of age-of-sale regulations to further reduce youth smoking rates. The prevention Green Paper acknowledged the challenge of reaching a smoke-free 2030 target; however, Cancer Research UK projections suggest it will not be achieved until 2037 unless additional measures are taken.

Other contributors (1)

Alex Cunningham Lab Stockton North

The hon. Gentleman highlights the need for sustainable funding to support smokers who wish to quit, and criticises budget cuts affecting stop-smoking services in his constituency.

Government Response

Jo Churchill

The Minister reaffirms the UK's commitment to the WHO framework convention on tobacco control (FCTC) and its article 5.3 obligations, emphasising no partnership with the tobacco industry is allowed. She acknowledges the work of local communities in tackling smoking habits, especially among pregnant women, highlighting a project at Tameside Hospital as an example. The Minister pledges to continue working towards being smoke-free by 2030 and commits to speaking with HM Treasury about financial levers that could support this aim. However, she does not provide a specific timeline for the publication of the Government’s response to the prevention Green Paper consultation.