Written question asked by Lord Grayling (Conservative) on Wednesday, 16 July 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 September 2003. It was answered by Melanie Johnson (Labour) on Monday, 8 September 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will make a statement on the recommendations of the Chief Medical Officer in relation to smoking in public places. - Inc ref to "Smoking Kills" White Paper.

Answer: Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the recommendations of the Chief Medical Officer in relation to smoking in public places. [127631] Miss Melanie Johnson: The Chief Medical Officer's report should leave no-one in any doubt that second- hand smoke is an important public health issue, and the Government are looking very closely at the Chief Medical Officer's recommendations. We wish to ensure real progress is being made in the availability of smoke- free public places. In our 1998 White paper, "Smoking Kills", we agreed that completely smoke-free places are the ideal. The World Health Organisation's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which the UK signed in June 2003, also called for action to protect people from tobacco smoke. Taking action on smoking in the workplace and in public places is an important element of international best practice in tobacco control. We also want to increase the public's awareness of the real health risks from second-hand smoke: not merely the discomfort caused by being in a smoky atmosphere. That is why we have launched an education campaign, making everyone aware of the need to protect others, particularly children, from the harm caused by second- hand smoke. From 1 April 2003, the Department of Health has also taken a lead in making all our buildings smoke-free and we will be encouraging others to follow this lead.

Secondary information