Tobacco is a great boon to many millions of people in this country and throughout the world Leading British tobacco firms

He did, however, add that evidence which was being studied by the Medical Research Council showed that "mortality from cancer from the lung is 20 times greater amongst heavy smokers than amongst non-smokers".

His statement follows in the wake of a report by Dr Ernest Wynder in February showing that cigarette smoking is the "single most important external factor" associated with lung cancer.

Leading British tobacco firms - including British-American and Imperial Tobacco - issued a statement which said: "The evidence of the possible relationship of lung cancer and smoking is conflicting and very incomplete; much more research is necessary before firm conclusions can be drawn."

It said the industry supported research into possible health risks associated with its product and had donated £250,000 to the Medical Research Council to that effect.

But the link between disease and smoking was "based mainly on certain statistical inquiries" which could not on their own be used as conclusive evidence.

The statement went on to praise the benefits of tobacco.

"Tobacco is a great boon to many millions of people in this country and throughout the world; the benefits, psychological and physiological, it may confer are not yet fully understood and might well be the subject of investigation."

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