Mr. John David Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has any plans to take steps to prohibit smoking in shops and halls which are specifically for the sale of fresh or frozen food; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Chris PattenStaff are already prohibited from smoking in such premises by the Food Hygiene (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1964. There are no plans to introduce legislation to prohibit the public from smoking in food establishments, as there is no evidence that open food is at risk of contamination from customers' smoking.