To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consideration Her Majesty's Government have given to promoting a ban on smoking by staff in (a) all public institutions and (b) hospitals.

The Government encourage the introduction of non-smoking policies in all public institutions. Advice and guidance on the introduction of such policies is available from the Health and Safety Executive, the Health Education Authority and ASH workplace services. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment will issue new guidance on this subject in the near future.An independent consultant commissioned by the Department of Health has just completed work on preparing a new guidance manual for NHS managers on implementing non-smoking policies in hospitals and other health service premises. This will be issued as soon as possible.