Ministers hope to outlaw tobacco advertising in months with a
"softly, softly" strategy designed to wrong-foot opponents of a ban.
The Government has taken the unusual step of throwing its weight behind
a Private Member's Bill introduced in the House of Lords by the Liberal
Democrat peer Lord Clement-Jones. The measure had been thought unlikely
to succeed but ministers have scheduled its report stage for this Friday
and its third reading on 8 March.
If the Bill is approved by the Lords, ministers will rush it through the
Commons by the summer. Robin Cook, the Leader of the Commons, has
promised to find time for the measure to be debated even though the
Parliamentary timetable is crowded.
With Labour MPs overwhelmingly in favour of a ban and Labour enjoying a
huge majority, it is not expected to be delayed in the Commons.
The main obstacle had been the Lords, which blocked an identical Bill
introduced by the Government before last year's general election. But
the Bill has made steady progress and ministers are now cautiously
optimistic it will be given the go-ahead.
The Government's approach will infuriate opponents of a ban, who will
accuse Labour of trying to "sneak" in its commitment to outlaw tobacco
promotion.
But the unexpected success of the Bill would delight anti-smoking
campaigners.
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