Member

While we cannot support these amendments as drafted, we welcome them for probing the Government’s current understanding of the efficacy of filters and whether they have any intentions to phase them out. I ask the Minister directly whether she can tell the Committee, according to the evidence that the Government have, whether they believe that cigarette filters reduce harm to smokers or not. Do they also agree that cellulose acetate filters damage the environment? If so, are they aware of any more environmentally filters that could be used as a substitute? What discussions have the Government had with the tobacco industry on a timetable possibly to phase out either just plastic filters or all filters, as some noble Lords have requested? Have there also been any discussions about clearing up plastic filter waste and processing it in an environmentally friendly way? If so, what timeframe do the Government believe is reasonable to phase out either cellulose acetate or all filters?