Jump to full article: WalesOnline (uk), 2009-07-25
Author: Clare Hutchinson, Western Mail
Intro: A COUNCIL has become the first in Wales to impose a blanket ban on smokers adopting or fostering children.
Anti-smoking campaigners last night welcomed the move by Merthyr Tydfil council, but critics have pointed out there are already not enough foster parents in Wales.
They fear the changes might discourage potential carers from coming forward and could jeopardise the future of children already in the care of smokers.
Increasing numbers of local authorities, including Cardiff and Pembrokeshire, have banned smokers from fostering children under five but this is the nation's first blanket no-smoking rule for foster carers and adopters.
Roslyn Rees, head of operational children's services at Merthyr Tydfil council, said: "The health, safety and well-being of children and young people are at the heart of policies and practice related to children.
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