Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he has had recent discussions with (a) Cabinet colleagues and (b) relevant stakeholders on the potential merits of introducing a polluter pays levy on the tobacco industry.

The Chancellor regularly engages with his Cabinet colleagues and stakeholders on a range of issues.

The Treasury has previously carried out a consultation on introducing a levy on tobacco manufacturers and importers and published its response in September 2015. It is available at the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/464795/PU1814_Tobacco_Levy_final_v3.pdf

Following the consultation, the Government decided not to introduce a tobacco levy. However, all taxes are kept under constant review.