Fostering ban on smokers

SMOKERS will be banned from fostering children in a London borough in one of the first moves of its kind in Britain.

The ban, revealed by the Standard, was passed unanimously by Redbridge council.

From January 2010 the council will not put children of any age with adults who smoke. All existing carers who smoke will be offered help to give up.

The Fostering Network warned the policy could prevent good carers from coming forward.