Workers set to lose fag breaks

2:42pm Tuesday 24th April 2007

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Council workers are set to lose their cigarette breaks as part of a crackdown on smoking.

All staff at Lewes District Council will be banned from nipping off for a quick fag if members at a full council meeting tomorrow agree on suggestions by the cabinet to stub out the practice.

From July all work places will have to be smoke-free from pubs and clubs to council offices.

Lewes District Council aims to go further by banning smoking on all council property, except private residences, introducing the ban one month early and stopping staff members from taking cigarette breaks.

Council leader Ann De Vecchi said: "The thinking behind the suggestions is of course the council, like everybody else, has to conform to the new legislation that's coming into effect in July.

"We think we ought to be leading by example by trying to minimise smoking for people's benefit.

"It's partly that but it's also about fairness and equality. Non-smokers aren't allowed to pop down the shop during work hours for a bar of chocolate and not smoking is something we want to encourage.

"We are going to be offering smoking staff help to quit smoking. It's not just about that you can't do it any longer, we are giving people the opportunity and help not to smoke."

Coun De Vecchi added that there is no party politics involved in the debate and her Liberal Democrat party is free to vote whichever way members wish.

She added that any change in the council's smoking policy would have to undergo staff consultation.

Simon Clark, director of smoker's lobby group Forest, said: "They're not the first council to do it and they are jumping on the anti-smoking bandwagon. Smokers don't have a right to a smoke break but it is poor man management.

"This is a double whammy. Smokers are having to face not just a ban on smoking in every bar and club in the country but they are being told they can't go for a smoke break during the day.

"People are entitled to a break though and if they choose to have a cup of coffee or perhaps make a personal phone call then that's a matter for them and not the council."

He also argued that it was wrong for Lewes District Council to go beyond the legislation by banning smoking breaks and that it was only a small step away from a policy of not employing smokers.

If agreed by full council, the policy would also apply to elected members.

What do you think about the end of the cigarette break? Are you a smoker? Could you cope without having a fag break? Let us know below.