§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with the leisure industry concerning the dangers to their customers and employees from passive smoking. [5083]
§ Angela EagleOfficials from the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions have discussed passive smoking with representatives of pub and restaurant trade associations. The associations are well aware of the dangers of passive smoking and are keen to work with us to develop effective smoking policies.
The Government intend to hold a seminar of experts in the field of smoking reduction on 14 July 1997. The results of this seminar will inform policy, which will then be set out in a White Paper on our strategy to reduce smoking. As part of this, my Department will be looking for ways of speeding up progress in the introduction of more stringent smoking policies in public places.