How does a worm wriggle?

Ask Stephen Williams, MP for Bristol West and chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health.

On January 16 Williams wrote that he was "pleased to help launch Europe’s first major campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of glitzy tobacco packaging to children. The Coalition Government will shortly launch its consultation exercise on whether to follow the example of Australia and introduce the plain packaging of cigarettes" ... blah blah, blah blah blah.

I mentioned it here and invited people to add a comment on Williams' blog. To date there are 958 comments. (Most of his posts attract single figures.)

At the time I estimated that 99 per cent of the comments were strongly opposed to Williams' vision of a Utopian smoke free world. So what did he do? He fell back on the desperate argument that most of his detractors must be in the pay (or a stooge) of Big Tobacco.

Back on this blog I described this response as "pathetic". To my surprise he responded with a comment of his own:

Oh Simon, I'm disappointed. Pathetic is such a mild insult. Your mates have gone rather further on my blog. It's been at least a few hours since someone alluded to my neo-Nazi cum fascist opinions.

Anyway, on a serious note, whether you like it or not the Coalition Government is about to launch a consultation on plain packs. I hope you and your friends will be able to rise to the debate.

Well, I couldn't resist that challenge so, this week, following the launch of the Hands Off Our Packs website on Monday, I emailed the cheerleader for plain packaging as follows:

Dear Stephen,

We have just launched a website, Hands Off Our Packs, to counter the arguments put forward by the Plain Packs Protect campaign, among others.

During the course of the consultation on plain packaging we will be organising a number of events including a panel discussion and debate at a central London venue close to Parliament Square.

We would welcome the opportunity to have a public debate on this issue and I would therefore like to invite you to speak on a date – probably in March – that is convenient for you.

Our proposed format is a debate with four speakers, split 2:2 for and against plain packaging, and a chairman. Alternatively we will invite 4-5 panelists with a variety of opinions.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,

Simon Clark
Director, Forest

No reply.

Yesterday I rang his Westminster office and spoke to an assistant researcher who thought he had seen my email but asked me re-send it so he could bring it to Williams' attention.

So I sent the invitation again and here is the (very efficient) researcher's response:

Many thanks for sending that information through to me. I do recall seeing this invitation now, and I did in fact show it to Stephen earlier this week.

He informed me that although he would ordinarily be happy to speak in such a debate, he is reluctant to take part in this particular discussion because he believes that it would be preferable if the debate were organised and hosted by an independent body, rather than by Forest.

Unfortunately therefore Stephen does not feel that he would be able to participate in this discussion.

So, having challenged us to "rise to the debate" on plain packaging, Stephen Williams couldn't be bothered replying in person to our invitation and he is now trying to wriggle his way out of a public debate on the feeblest of grounds.

I guess we'll just have to find an "independent body" to organise and host the debate. Can't wait to hear what his excuse will be when that happens!

See also: The difference between an MP with bottle and one without

Update on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 8:49 by Simon Clark

Thanks to those who have pointed out that since this post was published Stephen Williams has added the following comment on his own blog:

"I am happy to debate the full range of tobacco control issues. I will of course be doing that in the House of Commons. But if an independent forum wishes to organise a debate between me and Simon then I’m sure that could happen. A newspaper, think tank or university debating society would be good hosts."

That seems pretty clear. Perhaps I was too harsh on him. Perhaps.

The difference between an MP with bottle and one without

Over the years I have NEVER rejected an invitation to take part in a public debate.

If the organisers are hostile to my views, so much the better. It's a lot more fun.

There's a much bigger buzz to be had from addressing a potentially awkward audience. Less pressure too because fighting your corner in an adversarial situation is quite enjoyable in a masochistic sort of way.

Preaching to the converted, on the other hand, is boring and nerve-wracking at the same time because there's so much more to lose if you don't deliver.

In 2010, at a Voices of Freedom debate on Big Brother style surveillance, speakers included Philip Davies MP. Now Philip has libertarian tendencies on many issues (including smoking) but surveillance isn't one of them.

He agreed to take part knowing that he was going to be given a hard time and he wasn't disappointed. Alex Deane, former director of Big Brother Watch, was particularly harsh, but after the event Philip confided that he enjoyed every minute of it.

I knew what he meant. It's a great feeling to be in a debate, sticking to your guns while the overwhelming majority of people are firmly against you. In my experience you earn respect if only for turning up!

Sadly, tobacco control advocates are especially feeble when it comes to engaging with the opposition, even when THEY have challenged US to "rise to the debate".

There's another part to this story that I will reveal shortly.

Here's a clue: it involves someone called Stephen Williams. You may have heard of him ...

Statistics for dummies

On Monday I reported that "experts" from Fresh (Smokefree North West) were in Ireland, advising the locals on how to run a tobacco control programme.

It turned out they were there to receive an award from the Irish Cancer Society.

This morning Fresh issued "new figures" that "show for the first time the true cost of smoking to the North East in lives lost, illness and the toll of finances - costing the region over £210 million pounds every year".

I am tempted to publish the press release in full because it's a mass of calculations and statistics. On reflection I'll spare you the whole thing but if you really want to read it for yourself go to the Fresh website where you will find a press release headlined Pound for pound our biggest killer.

Here's a taste:

New figures released today by Fresh help to show for the first time the true cost of smoking to the North East in lives lost, illness and the toll of finances - costing the region over £210million pounds every year.

The statistics from Fresh in partnership with Brunel University, combined with existing figures from the North East Public Health Observatory reveal the toll smoking inflicts in lives lost, illness and the resulting cost on the NHS, local authorities and private business.

The figures are localised to each local authority to enable MPs, councillors, local authorities and GPs to see the full scale of the problem still facing the region.

Despite the North East having the largest drop in smoking in England over the past few years, smoking-related diseases still cost the NHS in the North East around £105million every year, with more than:

* £53million spent on over 27,000 smoking-related hospital admissions each year
* Over £17.9million in outpatient appointments annually
* Over £19.5million spent on GP consultations annually
* Over £12.6million in prescription costs annually
* Nearly £1.9million in nurse consultations annually.

It is not just the NHS and taxpayers who bear the cost of smoking. Smoking is estimated to cost employers in the North East around £70 million a year, with 335,000 days lost each year to increased absenteeism due to smoking. Absenteeism alone is estimated to cost employers around £34.5 million per year, with the remaining losses due to smoking breaks.

In addition, the effects of passive smoking cost the North East around £35.9million each year, with by far the biggest burden falling on children exposed to the dangers of second hand smoke.

Deaths from smoking
Nearly one in five of all deaths among adults over 35 are as a result of smoking, causing around 4,211 deaths in the North East each year according to latest NHS estimates. Smoking causes almost 90 per cent of deaths from lung cancer, around 80 per cent of deaths from COPD and around 17 per cent of deaths from heart disease.

That breaks down every year in the North East to:

* 538 deaths from COPD
* 593 deaths from heart disease
* 848 deaths from lung cancer
* 183 deaths from stroke
* 2056 deaths from other diseases such respiratory disease and cancers of the oesophagus, kidney, throat, bladder and stomach.

Disease from smoking
If smoking levels remain unchanged, the North East will experience an ongoing burden to the NHS from new cases of smoking related disease being diagnosed each year.

Disease cases each year over next decade in the North East if smoking rates remain the same:

* Lung cancer 1,785
* Coronary heart disease 48,374
* COPD 10,462
* Heart attacks 20,974
* Strokes 12,586

And on and on it goes.

Cost to the NHS
The overall cost of smoking-related hospital admissions in Middlesbrough alone is calculated to be £3.09 million per year. Smoking is also estimated to cost Middlesbrough over £1.29 million per year in terms of additional GP consultations. Overall, smoking related disease in Middlesbrough is estimated to cost the NHS £6.5 million per year.

Similar figures are trotted out for Stockton, Darlington and Redcar & Cleveland. Someone, somewhere, has been very busy with their calculator. (The report, I should mention, was conducted "in partnership with Brunel University".)

We are also told that:

Smoking during pregnancy poses a significant health risk to both mother and unborn child. According to latest 2010/11 end of year figures, 579 Middlesbrough women were recorded as smoking at the time they gave birth. This equates to 27.2% of all maternities within the locality so far this year. This figure is significantly higher than the North East average (21.1%), and twice the national average (13.5%).

Now, I'm not advocating smoking during pregnancy but just because "579 Middlesbrough women were recorded as smoking at the time they gave birth" isn't, in itself, evidence that their babies have suffered as a result. It's a just a statistic that will be used to demonise pregnant mothers who smoke and justify the use of even more taxpayers' money to campaign against it.

Talking of which, there is a huge emphasis on the cost to the taxpayer of smoking-related diseases. I imagine this will become something of a mantra over the next few years. How many of those "smoking-related" illnesses, however, were a direct result of smoking? Unless it is certain that other factors (diet, lack of exercise or genetics, for example) were not involved, it is quite wrong to point the finger of blame exclusively at smoking.

Anyway, I shall be talking about the report on BBC Radio Tees at 9.45.

Update on Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 17:36 by Simon Clark

The Northern Echo has the story here:
£210m - the cost of smoking in the North-East

Waking up to ASH Wales

I was still at home in my dressing gown when I was interviewed by BBC Radio Wales this morning.

Oh, and the dog was scrabbling at the door, trying to get into the room.

Maybe that's why I was a trifle tetchy with Carole Morgan-Jones of ASH Wales.

The BBC website describes our encounter thus:

A ban on cigarette vending machine sales has come into force in Wales. It prompted a lively debate chaired by Felicity Evans on Good Morning Wales involving Carole Morgan-Jones, of Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) in Wales, and Simon Clark, director of the smoking group Forest.

You can listen here.

Update on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 16:57 by Simon Clark

A reader writes:

Our local has a sign behind the bar, saying: 'This notice is to advise you that we're not allowed to tell you we sell cigarettes'. Then for eight quid, the landlord will obtain (20!) cigarettes from his otherwise redundant fag machine!

You couldn't make it up.

Hands off our packs!

Two weeks ago Stephen Williams MP, chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health, wrote on this blog:

"Whether you like it or not the Coalition Government is about to launch a consultation on plain packs. I hope you and your friends will be able to rise to the debate."

Now, I always like a challenge and in response to Stephen's comment I am delighted to report that Forest has today launched a brand new website, Hands Off Our Packs (or HOOP, for short).

I invite you to pop over there now. Among other things you will find the latest news about plain packaging (it's more interesting than you think) plus a dedicated blog featuring initial contributions from Chris Snowdon (Velvet Glove Iron Fist) and me. Comments are extremely welcome.

You'll find some well known names lending their support – plus a Further Reading page with links to articles, blogs and websites.

Later this week we'll reveal the Hands Off Our Packs campaign team (recruited at vast expense!). The team will be responsible for keeping the HOOP blog up-to-date but we will be introducing some guest bloggers too.

It's only a start but I hope we have made our intentions clear. More important, if Stephen Williams was worried that we might not "rise to the debate", I trust we have put his mind at rest.

Watch this space.

See: Plain talking (Velvet Glove Iron Fist)

Oh, and check out our Facebook page. Click if you 'Like'.

Update on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at 12:18 by Simon Clark

The Times mentioned Hands Off Our Packs in the business section today.

See also: Plain cigarette packaging campaigners jostle for position (Politics.co.uk) and Smokers group campaigns against plain packs (Off Licence News).

UK tobacco control group meets Irish police (to discuss smoking and health?)

Something rather strange is happening in Ireland today.

When I first raised the subject of Forest setting up a group in Ireland I was told, "No thanks, we don't want people from England telling us what to do".

Of course not, I replied. That's not what we have in mind. We'll set up an independent group and employ someone in Ireland (an Irishman, since you ask). All we'll do is offer help and advice.

That was in 2001. The suggestion was rejected and three years later Ireland introduced what was said to be the world's first comprehensive ban on smoking in public places. (I'm not saying there is a link but organised opposition was noticeable by its absence in the years prior to the ban.)

Anyway, fast forward to today and what do I find:

Anti-smoking experts from the UK are meeting with gardai and the HSE today to discuss ways to encourage people to quit smoking.

Anti-smoking experts from the UK say that encouraging smokers to quit should be Ireland's number one health priority.

These so-called 'experts' are all over the airwaves – NewsTalk, Today FM, Kildare FM, Spin FM, Galway Bay FM, WLR FM ... What's going on?

Another media report reveals that:

Fresh was the UK's first dedicated programme set up in the North East of England to tackle the worst rates of smoking related illnesses and deaths in the country.

Ah, so the 'experts' are Fresh aka Smokefree North East.

Question: what is a tobacco control group funded by the British taxpayer doing in Ireland discussing ways to encourage people to quit smoking?

Who paid for this junket? And why are they meeting with gardai? What have the police got to do with smoking and health?

Answers, please.

Update on Monday, January 30, 2012 at 15:11 by Simon Clark

John Mallon, our man in Ireland, writes:

Mystery solved! Prof Eugene Milne, Deputy Regional Director of Public Health from the UK North East Region, was in Dublin to receive an award from the Irish Cancer Society for his work in the area of anti smoking.

The good Prof put it all down to multiple agencies coming together in the UK and putting in place (as he put it), "Concerted efforts on many fronts". He claims that from 2005-2009 smoking rates drop from 29 to 22 per cent in the UK. He cites the setting up of the Office of Tobacco Control UK as being the catalyst.

"The meeting with the Gardai is a mystery," adds John, "unless, as I suspect, a lot of the smuggled ciggies that come through Ireland end up in the UK."

"Satisfied customer" responds to anti-smoking zealot

David Hockney – who could be forgiven for having bigger things on his mind – has responded to anti-smoking activist Simon Chapman who was interviewed in the Guardian on Tuesday:

See The trouble with tobacco haters (Guardian, Letters).

Head-to-head on plain packaging

Apologies for the lack of posts this week.

Extremely busy on a new project. Here's a clue. More details (including how you can get involved) next week.

In the meantime The Times has today published in their public sector pages a head-to-head article about plain packaging. It features the views of Maura Gillespie, head of policy and advocacy at the British Heart Foundation, and me (representing Forest and our new campaign).

The article is online but you need a subscription. Or (radical thought) you could buy a copy of the paper from your local newsagent.