Health Bill

I return to the purpose and content of the amendment that we are debating. This amendment is unnecessary because the details of places required to be smoke-free under Part 1 will be contained in subsequent regulations. My understanding is that draft regulations are likely to be published for consultation after the Lords Report stage of the Bill. Clause 2 makes it clear that the legislation will apply to premises that are open to the public and/or are used as a place of work. The Bill is based on a clear distinction between private dwellings and public premises. Clause 3(4) allows for suitable rules to be applied in premises which are both dwellings and workplaces, such as care homes, so that specific areas of such premises, such as common parts, may be designated as smoke-free while others—private residential areas, for example—are not. As regards vehicles, Clause 5 would allow the regulations to specify that some vehicles must be smoke-free, either always or in specified circumstances. It is my understanding and that of ASH that the Government are likely to require work vehicles that are routinely shared to be smoke-free—for example, refuse collection vehicles which are in effect mobile places of work; whereas vehicles used for work but occupied by sole drivers—for example, cars used for business purposes—will be exempt. For those reasons, I believe that the amendment is unnecessary.