Clause 3 - Exemptions
Health Bill
5:15 pm
Caroline Flint (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department of Health; Don Valley, Labour)
There was a rounded discussion in the Government on all those different issues. Certainly, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has listened to what people said. She herself has said that she takes the view that, in future, a total ban is on the cards, that some of the exemptions will be reviewed within three years and that we will be monitoring and reviewing the legislation from day 1. She has also said that we had a clear commitment in our manifesto, which was based on one of the largest ever public consultation exercises in relation to public health.
To refer to a point that was made earlier about the 1 m-from-the-bar rule, I quote from a document produced by the Government of South Australia's Department of Health, which says:
''From 6 December 2004, smoking will not be permitted within one metre of service areas (such as bars and other counters) . . . This is part of an initiative by the State Government to make all enclosed venues completely smoke-free by 31 October 2007.
What will this do?
This law is aimed at increasing the comfort of employees and increasing the public's awareness of the negative effect that passive smoking has upon staff.''
Neither the Government nor the Department of Health is alone in seeking to advance that cause in way that is understood and supported.
As I have said on many occasions, one of the reasons why the voluntary ban has been so successful is that it is in tune with public opinion. This morning, in response to a point that had been made by the hon. Member for Bristol, West—I cannot remember whether he was present for my response—I said that that is one of the reasons why I have never made a claim about health in relation to when people eat as opposed to when they do not eat. Again, my comment reflected a clear steer from the public about the areas in which they would prefer a smoke-free atmosphere. It is clear from the attitudinal surveys that have been carried out that the number of people—smokers and non-smokers—who want to eat in a smoke-free atmosphere is considerably higher than the number who support a complete ban in premises licensed just for drinking.