By KEITH ROSSITER
CITY MP Oliver Colvile has been challenged to promise that he will accept no more freebies from tobacco companies.
Mr Colvile disclosed in the House of Commons register of members' interests, that he had received two free tickets for the Chelsea Flower Show in May.
Plymouth MP Oliver Colvile took free tickets from big tobacco company Japan Tobacco International
The tickets, worth £1,260, were paid for by multi-national tobacco giant Japan Tobacco International.
Luke Pollard, a rival for Mr Colvile's Plymouth Sutton and Devonport seat, issued the challenge.
Mr Pollard, Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate for the seat, said it was the second tobacco freebie for Mr Colvile, who in 2011 received free tickets to a cricket test match from the same company.
Mr Colvile, who does not smoke himself, defended his acceptance of the gift, and said two Labour MPs were also there.
"I have always taken the view that grown-ups should be allowed to choose whether they smoke.
"Nobody is suggesting there should be a complete smoking ban."
Mr Colvile said he had a "keen and documented interest" in Zimbabwe and Malawi, which both rely heavily on tobacco farming.
"This gave me the opportunity to talk to the company about how they could move those countries' economies off being dependent on tobacco," he said.
Mr Colvile said he had supported the concept of plain packaging for cigarettes.
"We should do everything we can to discourage children from smoking."
But Mr Pollard said: "Plymouth Sutton and Devonport needs an MP who will stand up for the city not sit in Parliament wondering where the next freebie is coming from.
"Voters in this constituency did not send Mr Colvile to Parliament for him to be a champion for the tobacco industry.
"It is time for Mr Colvile to get back to his job representing our city and make a promise to voters that he will refuse any further tobacco hospitality."
Cllr Sue McDonald, the city council Cabinet member responsible for public health, said: "Smoking is a leading cause of cancer in our city and cancer is responsible for around 500 premature deaths each year in Plymouth. With such a clear link between smoking and cancer it is simply staggering that a city MP has received gifts in kind from the tobacco industry worth nearly £2,000. It shows a complete lack of judgment."
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