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Hand-rolled Tobacco

Volume 454: debated on Wednesday 13 December 2006

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has had with the Chief Medical Officer on trends in the use of hand rolled tobacco; and if she will make a statement. (103177)

The Secretary of State is very concerned about the increasing use of hand-rolled cigarettes, particularly counterfeit or contraband products, and has made this concern known to the Chief Medical Officer. Research by the national health service stop smoking helpline this year found that24 per cent. of regular smokers now smoke roll-ups, a rise from 11 per cent. in 1990. The use of hand-rolled tobacco had become increasingly popular among teenagers. This finding is in line with a 2006 World Health Organization poll which reported that the number of those using hand-rolled tobacco has doubled since 1990 and that one in four smokers worldwide now smokes hand-rolled cigarettes.