Health Bill [Lords]

I thank my right hon. Friend. My new clause 6 would force the tobacco industry to disclose all the information about its scientific and market research. At present, the people with a duty to promote public health, which includes the Government—and, one would hope, the Opposition—as well as Parliament, are continually playing catch-up with the latest scam that the tobacco industry has come up with. Tonight, we have measures to try to cope with vending machines and displays, which are increasingly used for promotion. I propose that we allow people and organisations with a duty to promote public health to get ahead of the game. If we are to do that, we have to recognise what the tobacco companies really are. It is no good pretending that they are anything else—they are merchants of death. That is not an exaggeration.