Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast

HL Deb 11 June 2003 vol 649 c50WA

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 21 May ( WA 83) concerning smoking in the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, whether they consider that spending on facilities for smokers is a proper use of money allocated to health services. [HL3085]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The Government require all health and personal social services bodies to operate no-smoking policies. Current guidance reflects the need for such bodies to adopt a pragmatic approach in formulating policies to deal sensitively with issues such as smoking in long-stay facilities. Other factors to be taken into account include the potential risk to patients and others from smoking in inappropriate areas.

The Government remain committed to promoting a smoke-free environment in all health and social services facilities. A five-year tobacco action plan for Northern Ireland, which will be published shortly, will provide a framework for achieving this objective.