" Tobacco Issues ! "

Blue Liners : ready made cigarettes, often the first taste of duty frees for sprogs on joining the Royal Navy. Used as a stepping stone to the world of real smoking pleasures and often used as unorthodox payment system between mess-decks for 'standing-in' and other such duties. Hand Rolling and Pipe Tobacco was also available.

"We had Navy issue cigarettes "Blue Liners" at 2/9d per 100, one issue per week - these cigarettes were very strong." ( c.1964 )

Mr. Speed : To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will review the facility whereby male Royal Navy personnel are eligible to purchase specially produced low priced cigarettes and tobacco while serving in United Kingdom shore establishments.

Mr. Freeman : The Admiralty board has recently reviewed this concession--known as the "Blue Liner" concession. Mindful of its responsibility to promote the health and physical fitness of personnel in the Royal Navy, the board has concluded that in the light of medical evidence about the consequences of smoking, it would be inappropriate for the concession to continue. They have decided accordingly that the price of these "Blue Liners" should be increased progressively in order to discourage use of the concession which will be finally withdrawn at the end of 1991. The price will be increased first in April 1989, followed by two further increases in January 1990 and January 1991 to bring prices much closer to those charged for proprietary brands. The extra revenue realised by these price increases will be paid into the fleet amenities fund and will be used specifically to provide benefits for naval personnel.