Chamber
Plenary, 18 May 2006
18 May 2006 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
Reduced Ignition Potential Cigarettes
Any move in such a direction needs to be carefully considered. We must reflect on all the relevant factors and, where possible, avoid the unintended consequences that might flow from any decision.
Stewart Maxwell, Jean Turner and others would agree that by far the best way for people to avoid ill health and death is for them not to smoke in the first place. That must remain our default position, but we recognise the seriousness of the debate, which is not simply about politics. Stewart Maxwell said that we could just go ahead with legislation, but I cannot avoid saying to him that, notwithstanding Stewart Stevenson's comments about taking cognisance of technical progress, product safety is not a matter for the Scottish Parliament. It is reserved to Westminster, along with product liability and labelling, to ensure a level playing field for business in the United Kingdom within the framework of European law and international trade agreements. On European law, I refer to the European directive 2001/37/EC on the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco products, which was adopted by the United Kingdom Government through the Tobacco Products (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale) (Safety) Regulations 2002.
Lives are at stake and that means that the issue deserves a serious, considered and proper debate which, I hope, will result in proportionate action that is in everyone's interests. That is one of the reasons why I am so delighted that action on the issue that I first raised as a back bencher six or seven years ago came to fruition and that, at 6 o'clock on 26 March 2006, Scotland's public places became smoke-free zones.
Stewart Maxwell, Jean Turner and others would agree that by far the best way for people to avoid ill health and death is for them not to smoke in the first place. That must remain our default position, but we recognise the seriousness of the debate, which is not simply about politics. Stewart Maxwell said that we could just go ahead with legislation, but I cannot avoid saying to him that, notwithstanding Stewart Stevenson's comments about taking cognisance of technical progress, product safety is not a matter for the Scottish Parliament. It is reserved to Westminster, along with product liability and labelling, to ensure a level playing field for business in the United Kingdom within the framework of European law and international trade agreements. On European law, I refer to the European directive 2001/37/EC on the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco products, which was adopted by the United Kingdom Government through the Tobacco Products (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale) (Safety) Regulations 2002.
Lives are at stake and that means that the issue deserves a serious, considered and proper debate which, I hope, will result in proportionate action that is in everyone's interests. That is one of the reasons why I am so delighted that action on the issue that I first raised as a back bencher six or seven years ago came to fruition and that, at 6 o'clock on 26 March 2006, Scotland's public places became smoke-free zones.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Murray Tosh):
Con
The final item of business is a members' business debate on motion S2M-4091, in the name of Stewart Maxwell, on reduced ignition potential cigarettes. The de...
Motion debated,
That the Parliament acknowledges that deaths resulting from fires, of which there were 99 in 2004, are a major concern in Scotland; recognises that they are ...
Mr Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
In 2004, some 7,420 fires occurred in homes in Scotland. Those fires resulted in 1,858 non-fatal casualties and 76 fatalities. Of the 76 deaths, 30 were caus...
Dr Jean Turner (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Ind):
Ind
I thank Stewart Maxwell for securing the debate tonight. I will speak from my experience as a general practitioner and as the daughter of parents who smoked....
Mr Brian Monteith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Ind):
Ind
Stewart Maxwell's motion is interesting and seems well intentioned. Although no one wishes to do anything that would increase the dangers of cigarette smokin...
Mr Maxwell:
SNP
Will the member give way?
Mr Monteith:
Ind
No—I must carry on.I am not convinced that such cigarettes will be acceptable to the public. As I said, I do not smoke cigarettes; however, I have spoken to ...
Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP):
SNP
It gives me much pleasure to lock horns once again with Brian Monteith on the subject of smoking. I suspect that, as in the past, we will remain implacable o...
The Deputy Minister for Justice (Hugh Henry):
Lab
Stewart Maxwell has secured a useful debate on an important and significant issue. It is right to draw attention to the fact that the number of fire-related ...
Mr Monteith:
Ind
I am not sure whether I heard the minister correctly. He seemed to be ascribing all the deaths to passive smoking. I am sure that he meant that they were att...
Hugh Henry:
Lab
I referred to 1,000 deaths a year arguably being associated with passive smoking.I acknowledge that there are huge cultural issues to be addressed. Jean Turn...
Mr Maxwell:
SNP
I accept that all factors must be taken into account and that we must be careful to ensure that the laws that we introduce do not interfere, but from all the...
Hugh Henry:
Lab
That would have to be factored into any debate. I raised the point and although I am not sure that the arguments are as conclusive as that, I am not saying t...
Mr Monteith:
Ind
I welcome the minister's balanced approach to the subject, although I recognise that we come from entirely different points of view. His point is well made. ...
Hugh Henry:
Lab
Any move in such a direction needs to be carefully considered. We must reflect on all the relevant factors and, where possible, avoid the unintended conseque...
Meeting closed at 17:34.