I was interviewed by BBC Radio Oxford yesterday.
In advance they sent me a press release. Here's a flavour:
There is an "urgent" need to reduce the number of teenagers taking up smoking, the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) said, after experts estimated that the cost of lung cancer to the UK economy is £2.4 billion each year.
The figure, which is to be presented at the NCRI Cancer Conference in Liverpool later today, is higher than the cost of any other cancer, researchers said.
There are quotes from research author Dr Jose Leal, Oxford University; Dr Jane Cope, director of the NCRI; Dr Siobhan McClelland, head of evidence of Macmillan Cancer Support; and Jean King, Cancer Research UK's director of tobacco control.
According to King:
"This research highlights the stark economic impact of different cancers. But it's important to remember the very real human impact of cancer - the lives lost to, and affected by the disease.
"It's vital we prevent more young people from becoming addicted to a product that will kill half of all long term smokers.
"Putting an end to the silent salesman of the slickly-designed, colourful tobacco packaging is a crucial step towards making cigarettes less appealing to children."
There is alo a quote from Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt.
"Too many people die from killer diseases like lung cancer and this study shows that quitting smoking is the best thing you can do to cut your risk of dying early.
"Last month our Stoptober campaign saw more than a quarter of a million people signing up to our 28-day stop smoking challenge. Stoptober may be over but people can still join in and be supported."
This was obviously written for him, which I understand (he's a busy man). But it's sad that politicians are so easily used and manipulated by civil servants allied to a powerful interest group.
Likewise Anna Soubry. I am slowly becoming a fan of the new health minister whose views on euthanasia, for example, echo my own.
I also like the fact that she has allegedly banned her office from using "frigging jargon" (Anna Soubtry's NHS clean-up operation).
Yes, I like the sound of her very much. On the subject of smoking, however, she sounds just like every other health minister. The following quote, for example, is virtally identical to Jeremy Hunt's:
"Stoptober may have been a great success but half of all smokers will die because of their habit. We know most smokers want to give up, which is why we must keep encouraging them to make that step."
Who's writing this stuff? It certainly isn't them.
PS. For an alternative view see A licence to smoke (The Free Society)