CIGARETTE SMOKING (Dangers to health)

Mr David Marshall asked the Minister for Health and Law whether he has any information as to the dangers to health of cigarette smoking, and what action does the Government propose to take.

Mr Byrne: Mr Speaker, Sir, the answer is yes. This information is contained in a publication entitled "Smoking and Health" which is a report of the Royal College of Physicians of London on smoking in relation to cancer of the lung and other diseases, published by Pitman Medical Publishing Co. Ltd. this year.

If the Member for Anson is interested, I have the publication here and will let him read it if he likes to. But I would like to mention here that I know that the Member for Anson is a regular pipe smoker and it would be of interest to him if I quote a paragraph from this report which was -

Mr Speaker: The Minister is here to give information on the question of dangers to health of cigarette smoking and not pipe smoking.

Mr Byrne: Mr Speaker. Sir, this report deals with pipe smoking as well as cigarette smoking.

Mr Speaker: Order. I cannot allow that, unless the Minister wishes a debate on the question of pipe smoking.

An hon. Member: Pipe down!

Mr Byrne: Mr Speaker, Sir, I have the following figures of interest for Singapore. Of deaths from lung cancer in 1959, there were 108 deaths. In 1960, there were 131 deaths from lung cancer, and in 1961 there were 138. All deaths from all cancers - in 1959, there were 1,055; in 1960, 1,067; and I have not got the figure for 1961 as it is too early to get them. The total of all deaths in Singapore for 1959 was 10,175; in 1960, 10,210; and in 1961, 10,025. The death rate from lung cancer in Singapore is about ten per cent of the total cancer deaths, and the total of cancer deaths is about one-tenth of all deaths.

The position in Singapore does not warrant any immediate action. However, my Ministry is watching developments abroad on the investigation and prevention of lung cancer and smoking and will take whatever steps are proved necessary and beneficial.

Mr David Marshall: In the light of the gravity of the effect of cigarette smoking on health as indicated by the report which the Minister has referred to, would he recommend to the Ministry of Culture that Radio Singapore should not carry advertisements on cigarettes?

Mr Byrne: Mr Speaker, Sir, I think it would be advisable if the Member for Anson reads the book I have referred to because it is stated there that it has been proved that advertisements on tobacco do no initiate new smokers. They focus attention on the brands of smokes and they cause smokers to switch their smokes. So I think before he asks these questions, he should first read this book.