Smoking lobbies blow hard over ban on foster parents who puff
November 7, 2008
Smokers will no longer be able to foster children, according to Redbridge council, the first local authority in London to issue such a ruling.
The council's cabinet agreed on Tuesday night to ban the placement of children with foster carers who smoke unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Other councils across the UK have introduced similar measures, but Redbridge's ban is thought to be the most far-reaching.
"Some people will feel it is an intrusion on personal freedoms," said councillor Michael Stark. "But we also know that smoking increases the risk of serious illness in childhood.
"On balance, we have decided children in our care shouldn't grow up breathing second-hand smoke."
The council cited scientific evidence that showed passive smoking caused lung cancer and childhood respiratory disease. Existing smokers will be given help to quit.
Tobacco lobby groups said the move was part of an "ongoing campaign to stigmatise smokers".
A spokesperson for Forest, a pro-smoking group, said: "It's going to exclude people who could be outstanding foster parents.
"It sends out an insidious message that smokers in general are unfit parents and I don't think any politician has the right to do that."
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