§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Paymaster General what is the policy of the Health and Safety Executive in relation to passive smoking.
§ Mr. TrippierThe executive's policy is to ban smoking at work where there is particular danger, for example, of fire or explosion, and otherwise to encourage voluntary workplaces agreements to limit smoking to certain areas of separate smokers and non-smokers.
The responsibility for general public health matters, including passive smoking, lies with the Department of Health and Social Security. The Independent Scientific Committee on Smoking and Health, which has considered a comprehensive review of the evidence on health effects from passive smoking, is due to report to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services next year.