s that prospective adopters have a reasonable expectation of continuing to enjoy good health. The medical adviser should explain and interpret health information from the prospective adopter, their GP, and consultants if relevant, to facilitate panel discussion. The opinion of the prospective adopter's GP and the agency's medical adviser about the health status of the prospective adopter needs to be given sufficient weight by adoption panels and agency decision-makers. Mild chronic conditions are unlikely to preclude people from adopting, provided that the condition does not place the child at risk through an inability to protect the child from commonplace hazards or limit them in providing children with a range of beneficial experiences and opportunities. More severe conditions must raise a question about the suitability of a prospective adopter, but each case will have to be considered on its own facts and with appropriate advice. 87 Smoking 4.16. There is no legal reason why a child cannot be matched with a prospective adopter who smokes. However, a local authority may have to restrict smokers as regards the age and type of child who may be placed with them, especially a child under five, or with disabilities which keep them indoors or who has a heart or respiratory problem or glue ear. An adoption agency has a duty to consider the effects of smoking on children in their care. Agencies should therefore discuss with the prospective adopter the issues and implications of smoking such as expecting them to ensure that a child is not exposed to smoke or role models who smoke. Discussions about smoking should be undertaken in the spirit of promoting the health of the prospective adopter and practical strategies should be made available to support those who wish to stop. Ad