TUC Press Release -
Smoke-Free.
TUC urges employers not to delay making
workplaces smoke-free.
With just under three
months to go before all public places and workplaces in England must become
smoke-free, the TUC is today (Monday) urging employers to get their act together
and introduce smoking bans into their shops, factories, offices, restaurants and
bars.
Today (Monday) as the smoking ban comes into force in workplaces across Wales,
the TUC is publishing a guide for union safety reps to help them work with
employers to bring in the ban in a way that meets all the legal requirements,
fully involves staff and doesn't persecute smokers.
Every year around 700 workers die as a result of second-hand smoke inhaled at
their place of work, and passive smoking is also responsible for thousands of
episodes of illness amongst UK employees, says the TUC.
The TUC guide reminds employers that there is much to think about before any
workplace can become smoke-free, especially because around a quarter of all UK
workers smoke, though not necessarily at work. But despite the looming ban,
around two million people are employed in places where smoking is still allowed
everywhere, and another ten million can smoke at least somewhere on the
premises.
Employers should introduce smoking bans with the full involvement of staff and
unions, says the TUC. By 1 July all English workplaces will have to display
non-smoking signs at all entrances and in any company vehicles, all smoking
rooms will have to disappear and the issue of breaks for smokers who need to go
outside to light up also needs to be considered.
The guide advises that every workplace should draw up a smoking policy which:
protects all staff and members of the public from the harmful effects of
second-hand smoke; does not stigmatise or discriminate against smokers and
offers hardened nicotine addicts help in giving up if they want to quit; sets
out clearly what will happen to employees who flout the workplace ban; and,
states where employees can go for a smoke and what they should do with their
cigarette ash and butts.
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'With less than three months to go
before smoking is outlawed in all English workplaces and public spaces,
employers don't have much time to get their act together. But with a little
thought and forward planning, making a workplace smoke-free can be a fairly
painless experience, even for the most hardcore smokers. The key is the
involvement of staff and our guide sets out how to do just that.'
'Negotiating smoke-free workplaces' says there is no need for employers to stop
employees from smoking altogether, though companies might want to discourage
groups of smokers from gathering outside, particularly if they are in company
uniform. The guide also warns against using the ban as an excuse to stop
employing smokers.
'Negotiating smoke-free workplaces' sets out the exemptions to the smoke-free
regulations, suggests ways in which employers can help their staff quit and
includes a draft smoking policy that employers can adapt to suit their
individual workplaces.