Parliament will vote on Monday on a attainable ban on smoking in autos the place kids are present. Photograph: Clive Gee/PA
David Cameron was below pressure on Saturday night to clarify whether he would support a ban on smoking in vehicles carrying kids, as overall health specialists raised new concerns above back links among his chief election strategist Lynton Crosby and the tobacco industry.
In advance of a important Commons vote on Monday, Philip Morris Global – which strongly opposes a ban on smoking in vehicles – confirmed to the Observer that it was nevertheless receiving advice from Crosby’s lobbying firm, the London-primarily based Crosby Textor Fullbrook.
On Saturday evening Dr Nicholas Hopkinson, senior lecturer in respiratory medication at Imperial School London, who last week organised a letter to MPs signed by 700 professionals operating in respiratory wellness, which demanded a ban, voiced concern that someone so shut to the tobacco lobby was operating at the heart of government. “Given the massive burden of unwell health induced by tobacco smoke, any suggestion that tobacco lobbyists have access to the heart of government determination creating would be incredibly disturbing,” Hopkinson said.
A spokesman for Philip Morris explained: “CTF advises us on a selection of concerns in the United kingdom”, and explained its place on banning smoking in autos was spelled out in detail on its web site.
Monday’s vote on no matter whether to ban smoking in autos carrying youngsters below 18 is getting held right after the Property of Lords backed a Labour amendment in favour of the move. The Conservative get together has granted its MPs a free of charge vote on the situation, which seems to be specific to divide the cabinet. Several senior ministers which includes Kenneth Clarke, Eric Pickles and Chris Grayling have indicated they will vote against a ban. Health secretary Jeremy Hunt has declined to comment. A spokesman for the prime minister mentioned that he would make up his thoughts when he had heard the arguments in the Commons. Final week’s letter organised by Hopkinson explained that a ban should be introduced due to the fact secondhand smoke was a “main lead to of unwell health in kids” specifically amid disadvantaged groups.
On Saturday night, Labour asked why Cameron was even now undecided when overall health experts have been united. The shadow overall health secretary Andy Burnham said: “David Cameron is plainly conflicted on tobacco policy and one can only wonder what advice his correct-hand man is whispering into his ear in the runup to this important vote.
“Come Monday evening we will find out whether or not Cameron and the Tory party are prepared to wean themselves off their tobacco links and do the appropriate point by children’s overall health.”
Labour will vote for a ban and, with support from some Tory and Liberal Democrat MPs, it is probably to be approved. But the problem has reignited debate over the Australian lobbyist’s position at Cameron’s side and his company’s lucrative function for Philip Morris. On its website, Philip Morris says smoking ought to be prohibited “in hospitals and wellness institutions, as well as schools and other services for youth”. But it adds: “We do not believe that banning smoking in outside public spots or in personal areas such as vehicles and properties is the right technique.
“We think smoking need to be permitted in outside public spaces, except regions meant primarily for kids or exactly where smoking could be harmful. For private areas, we feel that schooling, rather than legislation, is a a lot more appropriate way forward.”
Final July, right after the government had appeared to drop plans to introduce plain packaging of cigarettes (a move strongly opposed by the tobacco market), the prime minister refused repeatedly to deny that he had ever talked about the concern with Crosby, who was then doing work component-time for the Tory get together.
Crosby then took the heat out of the controversy when he issued a straight denial saying that “at no time have I had any conversation or discussion with or lobbied the prime minister, or certainly the wellness secretary or the health minister, on plain packaging or tobacco troubles.”
Late final year, fearing a defeat in parliament, the government changed tack again and opened the door to a potential choice in favour of plain packaging.
In November it was announced that Crosby had taken up a full-time position as election strategist to the Tories in a deal mentioned to be worth £500,000.
Deborah Arnott, chief executive of well being charity ASH explained that simply because of Crosby’s presence, and his links to Philip Morris, the government was in the odd position of getting to demonstrate its independence from the tobacco industry. “The huge sum Philip Morris spent placing Lynton Crosby’s company on its books has to be the worst investment they’ve ever made. Not only did it fail in the initial aim of stopping standardised packaging, it is truly encouraged the government to go more and enable a free vote on smoking in vehicles to show its independence from the tobacco business.”
David Cameron urged to help auto smoking ban ahead of vote in Commons
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