§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on(a) the effectiveness of his Department's no-smoking policy and (b) the proportion of his Department's offices that do not allow smoking.[125150]
§ Mr. MandelsonThe NIO has a well established policy on smoking. A complete ban on smoking has operated effectively in the Department since 1995. This policy is supported by participation in the national no-smoking day campaign and a series of health awareness events where staff who smoke are offered practical advice and information on how to stop.
Smoking is not permitted in any NIO offices apart from designated smoking rooms.