London’s Health & Safety Commission (HSC) is considering the introduction of an Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) for passive smoking in offices. The Commission has considered different options, including continuation of a voluntary approach before decisions are made. The aim of the Code is not to ban smoking in workplaces but to recognize the need to protect those workers, totaling about three million, exposed to environmental tobacco smoke. A consultation document including a draft ACOP was issued in July 1999. Response during a three-month period that followed showed that 83 percent favored the ACOP, 5 percent preferred a stronger regulation, and 12 percent rejected the code. Ministers will now make a final decision based on recommendations from the commission.
Based on a report from I-FM
