MP asks Government to look again at ‘polluter pays’ levy on tobacco firms

Winchester and Chandler’s Ford MP, Steve Brine, has called on the Government to create a smoke-free fund paid for by the tobacco industry, to boost new public health budgets.

The Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee spoke during Parliamentary questions to the Health Department where he welcomed the appointment of Professor Deanfield as the Government’s prevention champion.

The MP also asked for an update on the tobacco control plan.

Neil O’Brien MP responded saying; “We will be setting out next steps on smoking shortly. We do have the lowest smoking on record, down to 13%, partly as a result of doubling duty on cigarettes, partly as a result of bringing in minimum exercise tax and we going through putting £35million in to the NHS this year to make sure that all smokers who are admitted to hospital get free NHS funded tobacco treatment.”