Smokers face ban from fostering

The council said it would help existing foster carers to quit smoking

Smokers will be banned from fostering children in a London borough, if a council's plans go ahead.

Redbridge Council, in north-east London, said it wants to protect children from "the damaging effects of passive and second-hand smoke".

If the plan is approved on Tuesday, smokers will be unable to foster children from 2010 unless there are "exceptional circumstances".

Redbridge Foster Care Association welcomed the plan as "a good idea".

Under the plan, existing foster carers who smoke will be given support to help them quit.

The council claimed the policy was the result of scientific evidence which showed that "second-hand smoke is a cause of lung cancer and childhood respiratory disease".

Most (carers) either don't smoke or, if they do, they don't smoke in the company of children Norma Gregory

Councillor Michael Stark said: "While the council recognises the proven skills and abilities of its carers who smoke, it is essential that the health of our looked-after children is protected.

"Unlike adults, children have little choice about whether or not to be in a smoky environment so I hope the cabinet will take the decision to limit the harmful effects this drug can have on them."

Redbridge Foster Care Association chairwoman Norma Gregory said: "Foster carers in Redbridge think this is a good idea and would support anything that safeguards children.

"However, they have been aware of the impact that passive smoking has on children's health for the past three years and most either don't smoke because they have kicked the habit or, if they do, they don't smoke in the company of children."

Last year the Fostering Network charity advised UK local authorities to ban smokers from looking after children under the age of five.