Health Bill [HL]

It seems that a lot of the action the Government have already taken has been in support of different parts of the strategy, and it may be helpful if they were to produce, possibly in conjunction with the World Health Organisation, strategies on tobacco control because of irresponsible marketing to children in other countries, which is deeply abhorrent. Indeed, many speakers have focused on children and the next generation because it does not really matter if older people smoke; the damage has already been done. When they look like prunes, their legs are dropping off and they cannot get up the stairs, whether they carry on smoking or stop is not going to make a huge amount of difference. I say that because I am distressed by those times when patients, having developed lung cancer in particular, say that they have now stopped smoking. The only response is just not to reply because one wants to say, "It’s too late". But damage to the baby in utero when the mother carries on smoking is crucial and we need to prioritise. Such prioritisation might also focus research money, which would be an important outcome.