§ Mr. CrausbyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action he is taking to reduce smoking in his Department. [105794]
§ Mr. RookerIn general, this Department has developed a range of initiatives that address issues around the ill-effects of smoking. Smoking is restricted to designated areas throughout the Department. A review of the policies is planned in the business year 2000–01, with a view to further reducing smoking within the Department as a whole.
More specifically, Agencies within the Department have taken the following action.
Local Benefits Agency managers have authority to organise local initiatives on health, including quitting smoking, and Benefits Agency Central Services regularly distribute literature on smoking and how to give up to all Benefits Agency staff.
In Headquarters staff are given the opportunity to attend regular Health Fair days which address a number of healthy living issues, including the benefits of non-smoking. They are also invited to attend Quit Smoking clinics which support staff through the quitting 84W process by means of follow up group meetings. Written advice on the ill-effects of smoking and giving up is made widely available to all staff in Headquarters.
The War Pensions Agency have developed a range of initiatives in line with Cabinet Office recommendations. These include health and welfare initiatives such as awareness exhibitions that have included exhibits on the ill-effects of smoking. The Agency intends to issue literature to staff this year on specific health issues that will include the benefits of non-smoking.
Future action on smoking and quitting the habit within the Child Support Agency will be influenced by the outcome of the Agency's recent stress audit, which is currently being evaluated and the provisional findings of the audit are due in early March.