Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what data they collect on the annual consumption of handmade cigars.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Currently there is no agreed definition of what constitutes a handmade cigar, therefore there is no Government data collected on their annual consumption.

However, there is data on cigar usage from the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project which is produced every two years. In 2024 in England, of adults aged 18 years old or older who currently smoke or quit in the past two years or who currently use vapes, heated tobacco produces, and/or oral nicotine products, 5.1% reported past 30-day use of cigars.

Additionally, HM Revenue and Customs publishes data on clearances of tobacco products which relates to the amount of tobacco products cleared onto the United Kingdom’s market for sale. This data is published every month.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have for a national campaign to ensure men at increased risk of prostate cancer are aware of this risk and of their right to request a free prostate-specific antigen test.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

On 28 November, the UK National Screening Committee opened a 12-week public consultation on a draft recommendation on screening for prostate cancer. We anticipate a final recommendation in early 2026. After which, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, will make a decision on whether to accept the recommendation, and what next steps are needed, including whether a public health campaign would be appropriate.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what response they plan to provide to the comments submitted by EU member states to the Technical Regulation Information System notification detail on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, notification number 2025/7022/XI.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Government intends to respond to the European Commission by the 18 February, in line with requirements under the Technical Regulatory Information System (TRIS) procedure. This exchange of opinions and responses is a standard part of the TRIS procedure which is not an approval process. The Government’s position remains that the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will apply in Northern Ireland and is consistent with both our domestic and international obligations.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether nicotine-containing vaping liquids imported into the United Kingdom in pre-filled pods or cartridges are subject to the same testing, notification, and compliance requirements under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 as those manufactured domestically; and what testing or evidence of conformity producers or importers are required to hold prior to placing such products on the UK market.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

All businesses placing nicotine vaping products on the United Kingdom market are required to notify the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The MHRA’s notification scheme for nicotine-containing vaping products, including pre-filled pods or cartridges, helps ensure that products are in line with the requirements set out by the Tobacco and Related Product Regulations 2016. Businesses are required to provide key product information before these products can be sold, including toxicology data, nicotine dose, and the name and contact details of the manufacturer, so the MHRA can review the data for compliance with the notification requirements. Where products fail to align with the notification data, Trading Standards have powers to remove the products from UK supply chains.

The Tobacco and Vapes Bill provides the Government with regulation making powers to develop a new registration system for tobacco, vape and nicotine products that are sold on the UK market. Under this registration system, all producers and manufacturers will be required to provide relevant information before their product can be sold in the UK. Additionally, we are taking powers to establish a new testing regime for these products.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of sickle cell emergency bypass units in England.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Working under the UK Rare Diseases Framework, the Government is committed to improving the lives of those living with rare diseases, such as sickle cell disease. In 2024, NHS England commenced the roll out of seven Emergency Department Bypass Accelerator sites across England to provide services to persons requiring emergency care for uncomplicated vaso-occlusion crises. An evaluation of the effectiveness of the bypass units is currently being carried out by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The purpose of the evaluation is to provide an evidence-based report on the impact of the bypass units.

Preliminary findings from the NIHR evaluation were shared with NHS England in September 2025. The findings, which were based on qualitative feedback from patients and staff, highlighted that overall patient care and experience have improved since the launch of the bypass units compared to other hospital settings, with patients particularly benefiting from 24/7 access to dedicated triage lines and valuing the privacy and comfort of dedicated units. The next phase of the evaluation will review quantitative data and metrics, including patient time to receiving analgesia, length of hospital stays, and rates of readmissions. The final report is expected in 2026.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of evidence that women are significantly less likely than men to receive bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation during an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department is aware of research that shows differences in bystander response in providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to men versus women. Research also shows that training is key to improving bystander confidence in providing CPR to women.

Local ambulance trusts, charities including St John’s Ambulance, the British Heart Foundation, and private providers deliver CPR training and the use of defibrillators both in the community and in schools, under the Restart a Heart programme. NHS England has worked in partnership with St John’s Ambulance and others to increase access to CPR training.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of concerns within the medical community about potential risks associated with the use of artificial intelligence chatbots by individuals seeking emotional support and companionship when experiencing loneliness.

Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

While no such assessment has been made, this Government recognises the importance of exploring innovative approaches to tackle loneliness, whilst protecting people's safety and wellbeing.