Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have commissioned advice from any company, organisation or individual about the proposed changes to tobacco product packaging in the event of a no-deal Brexit; if so, which company, organisation or individual they commissioned such advice from; what was the cost of any such advice; and whether they will place a copy of any such advice in the Library of the House.

Over the last year, and at no cost, the Department has consulted with a range of experts in tobacco control, none of whom have any connections with the tobacco industry. The Department has also consulted with the Health Ministries of other countries that have world leading tobacco control programmes.

The external advice provided to the Department has been part of the formulation of Government policy and therefore, we have no plans to publish the advice at this current time.