Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of tobacco use on international development as well as on public health.

The Government recognises the significant impact of tobacco use on international development.

Tobacco use is the world’s single most preventable cause of disease. If current patterns of use persist, tobacco will kill about 1 billion people in the 21st century. Evidence indicates that by 2030, over 80% of the world’s tobacco-related mortality will be in low and middle income countries.

Tobacco use is also a major barrier to sustainable development. A major driver of social inequities, tobacco use imposes significant social, economic and environmental harm on individuals, families and national economies.