From the archive: Council bans smokers from fostering - 12 november, 2008

SMOKERS in Falkirk will not be allowed to foster children under three from next month, after council members voted for a ban on health grounds.

From December, unless there are “exceptional circumstances”, the local authority will ban smokers from being carers where a child is under three years of age.

This will be extended to all those under five by December next year.

Council members say they are implementing the ban to meet guidelines outlined by the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF).

The ban follows similar moves in Perth, Dundee and South Lanarkshire and will will also apply to carers where children of any age suffer a disability.