Fake cigarettes cost Treasury £2.9bn a year

The black market trade in cigarettes and rolling tobacco is costing the Treasury £2.9 billion despite a major drive to combat the problem, a committee of MPs has warned. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) launched a £209 million initiative in 2000 to target resources at the number of fake cigarettes coming into the UK, with […]

Smoking ban ‘a disproportionate response’

The ban on smoking in public places is a “disproportionate response to a relatively minor health concern”, a committee of peers has warned today. The Lords economic affairs committee warns the ban is an example of how the government has become “excessively risk averse” when formulating policy, listening to the media too much and failing […]

Ministers accused over smoking age

The government has been accused of trying to buy support for its plans to introduce a partial smoking ban in England and Wales. Reports this weekend suggested that the Department of Health (DoH) was considering raising the age at which people could buy cigarettes from 16 to 18. It comes after campaigning by Labour MP […]

Hewitt under fire over smoking plans

Health secretary Patricia Hewitt had trouble getting a word in edgeways yesterday when MPs debated the controversial ban on smoking in public places. The health bill, which includes plans for a partial ban on smoking, passed its second reading in the House of Commons but not before MPs signalled their disapproval and warned that they […]

Commons debates smoking ban

MPs will today have their first chance to debate plans to introduce a smoking ban in England and Wales when the health bill receives its second reading in the Commons. The proposals would see a partial ban on smoking in public places introduced in summer 2007, with private members’ clubs and premises not serving food […]

Total smoking ban ‘only a matter of time’

It is “only a matter of time” before a total ban on smoking in public places in England and Wales is introduced, Patricia Hewitt has admitted. The health secretary earlier this month published plans to introduce a partial ban on smoking, where pubs not serving food and private members’ clubs were exempt. She was in […]