§ Lord Janner of Braunstoneasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they have taken or plan to take to protect their employees from the effects of passive smoking. [HL101]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings Heath"Smoking Kills" committed all government departments to review their internal office smoking policies. The Department of Health has written to departments asking for progress reports. While we will press for the highest standards, the precise policy to be adopted in each case is a matter for the department concerned.
On 5 September the Health and Safety Commission announced that it favoured the introduction of an approved code of practice to safeguard the welfare of employees as far as environmental tobacco smoke in the workplace is concerned. The Government are considering their response.