§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will introduce measures to ban smoking by pupils in all schools and educational establishments. [16448]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisWe have no plans to do so. We encourage schools and other educational establishments to decide their won policies, bearing in mind the needs of both the students and staff. An increasing number of schools already prohibit smoking entirely on their premises, or limit it to a designated area for all teachers, non-teaching staff and visitors. Research conducted this year by Ofsted, via a questionnaire sent to 1,500 schools, found that 88 per cent. of primary schools and 79 per cent. of secondary schools already have no-smoking policies in place.