§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what new steps he is taking to ensure that all public houses have sufficient areas which are free from the dangers of passive smoking. [29822]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe Government are considering how best to target advice and publicity about its code of practice on smoking in public places in those areas, such as public houses, which lag behind in establishing effective smoking policies.
The implementation of smoking policies in public houses is a matter for the discretion of managers, in line with the Government's voluntary policy which encourages the implementation of suitable smoking policies in all enclosed public places. Guidance on implementing smoking policies is given in the Government's code of practice on smoking in public places published in 1991. The code makes it clear that the Government expect every effort to be made to cater for the interests of the non-smoker.