§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps his Department is taking to encourage other Government Departments and agencies to become smoke-free; [130062]
(2) what plans the Government have to bring in legislation to control smoking in the workplace; [130063]
(3) what guidance the Government give to employers regarding smoking in the workplace; [130064]
(4) what plans he has to introduce a code of practice on smoking in the workplace in (a) England and (b) Wales; [130065]
(5) whether he plans to ban smoking on government premises. [130066]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe White Paper, "Smoking Kills", states that smoke-free places are the ideal. We will continue to encourage employers and the managers of public places to introduce smoke-free policies.
An employer already has a duty, under Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, to
ensure so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees",and the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require thatrest rooms and rest areas shall include suitable arrangements to protect non-smokers from discomfort caused by tobacco smoke".472W Guidance and advice on protecting people from second-hand smoke and on introducing smoke-free policies is available from the Health and Safety Executive and the Department in the form of leaflets and website material.