To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps he is taking to discourage adults from purchasing tobacco on behalf of children as part of the Government’s commitment to reduce smoking amongst young people; (207378)

This issue was considered by Parliament with respect to the tobacco provisions of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008. During the passage of the legislation through Parliament an amendment was tabled in the House of Lords that was subsequently withdrawn after the Government indicated that they were not satisfied that there was sufficient evidence that proxy purchasing of tobacco problem was a widespread problem or that any criminal offence created could be effectively enforced. However, the Government have undertaken to review the position in a year.

The Department has raised the issue in its consultation paper “Consultation on the future of tobacco control”, copies of this publication have been placed in the Library.