Smoking ban on foster carers: Redbridge replies

Councillor Michael Stark, Cabinet Member for Children's Services in Redbridge responds.

I can confirm that the report to Cabinet 'Smoking Policy for Carers' was submitted on the 3 November 2008 and was approved as representing the best interests of children, young people and their carers and the
protection of their health. It is believed that a smoking environment should be avoided in the best interests of children who are placed
away from home.

In terms of the risk from passive smoking, I would respectfully refer you to the findings of the Government's Independent Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health (SCOTH) report in 1998 which states
that 'secondhand smoke is a cause of lung cancer and childhood respiratory disease'.

I acknowledge the very real dilemma that is associated with this policy in terms of its impact on the rights of the individual adult to smoke, but see the health and welfare of the child in this situation as representing our paramount concern.

I accept that there will always be exceptional cases that we will be willing to consider.