Speaking after the Dispatches programme, The Secrets of Big Tobacco, Alex Cunningham MP – who is Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking – said:
There are 7.2 million smokers in the UK with around 23,000 of them living in Stockton, and 60 per cent of them are actively trying to quit. Public health policy in this area should be solely about the needs of these people, without any interference from the tobacco industry.
“Any deal by the tobacco industry will only suit their commercial interests, and we must resist any efforts by them to sidestep World Health Organisation rules barring them from having any influence over public health decisions. When it comes to public health the industry should be footing the bill, not getting a foot in the door.
