Health Bill [HL]

As the only male Member of the Committee who smokes, I fully endorse both of these amendments. Interestingly, I may also be the only Member of the Committee whose GP smokes as well, but perhaps that is by the by. It was interesting to listen to the experience of the noble Lord, Lord Campbell-Savours, because as a resident of Scotland there may be a leaf to be taken out of NHS Scotland’s guidelines on how to stop smoking. I think I am right in saying that there is now a 24-hour helpline which people can call for counselling and advice on how to give up. Once again, I want also to mention the terrible problem of smuggled goods. Lots of figures have been bandied around and there is a wide margin, but the figures I was given last week suggest that the Treasury is losing some £3.8 billion a year. However much the Treasury loses, presumably it is absolute madness for it to lose anything at all. I, too, look forward very much to hearing what the Minister has to say.