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Health Bill

moved Amendment No. 14:"Page 2, line 39, at end insert ““or places where pipe smoking is part of an established ethnic or religious culture””" The noble Lord said: I do not intend to speak long on the amendment, but it is crucial. Unless the Minister feels crystal clear about how he wishes to respond, he may wish to take it away for consideration. Unless an appropriate exemption is provided for the type of smoking to which the amendment refers, the proposed comprehensive ban on smoking will have a discriminatory effect on certain ethnic and religious cultures. The smoking of shisha or hookah pipes is a part of certain cultures, particularly the Middle Eastern and Muslim communities, and it takes place in an increasing number of recreational places such as restaurants and cafes. While tobacco is not generally smoked in such pipes, the Bill seems to make no distinction between the smoking of tobacco and other substances. What consultation have the Government had with faith groups and their spokesmen on these issues? The amendment proposes that specific accommodation is made for exemptions to be made in regulations for such smoking situations. I beg to move.