Tobacco Duty

Mr. Swinney
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the health implications of the introduction of a banding of tobacco products duty related to their nicotine content; and if he will promote the introduction of such banding. [11269]

Ms Jowell
Given the recognised dangers of cigarettes, the best advice for smokers must always be to give up.We recognise that for many this is a difficult option, and how best to limit the addictive properties of cigarettes will be considered, together with all other aspects of harm reduction, in the preparation of the Government' s tobacco control strategy.