Ban smoking at work, says business

Although yesterday’s news from the BBC has revealed that most workers support the right to light up at work, a Croner survey reveals that the majority of employers are in favour of a blanket ban.

Croner, one of the UK’s leading providers of business information and advice, carried out the survey on its www.healthandsafety-centre.net portal.

It found that 68% think a ban would be a fair way of achieving a smoke-free workplace, although half of these agree it would be difficult to implement. Tobacco smoking in the workplace may result in health and safety hazards for the workforce. Employers must follow practical guidelines to minimise the risk of fire, discomfort to others and health risks. But banning workplace smoking altogether is currently not compulsory and depends on company policy. A complete workplace smoking ban would prevent employees smoking at workstations, rest areas, communal areas such as the canteen or kitchen, as well as outside in company grounds and car parks. Trevor Davies, senior health and safety consultant at Croner, which is part of Wolters Kluwer UK, says, If a blanket ban on smoking in the workplace was made law tomorrow, today’s BBC poll suggests there would be significant resistance. What’s more, business is clearly very aware of how difficult it would be to implement.

However, providing a smoke-free workplace needn’t be difficult or controversial if employers follow simple guidelines to assist them in setting the right smoking policy for their organisation.

While most organisations have a clear policy about prohibiting smoking in hazardous conditions, such as around explosives, other specified flammable substances, or food, fewer are clear on how to meet the needs of both non-smokers and smokers who share the same workspace.
Smokers are not entitled to a smoking area, but non-smokers are entitled to an environment free from tobacco pollution. One way to achieve this is to introduce a complete ban throughout the organisation. Employers could also consider providing a separate room for smokers, or a smoking section in a communal area.

A policy should be drafted which clearly states if employees are permitted to smoke, and where. Employees must be consulted before drafting a policy - simply banning smoking could constitute constructive dismissal for some smokers. Croner offers the following advice when drafting a smoking policy:

Current workplace practice with regard to smoking should be reviewed

Using this information, a risk assessment should be carried out to identify if smoking is a health and safety problem

The risk assessment will determine if a complete ban is best, or other options such as a designated smoking room, segregated smoking area, or perhaps restricting smoking to private offices

Employees should be consulted before drafting, implementing or changing the policy

The policy should state where and when employees are allowed to smoke and the consequences of failing to comply

The policy should be monitored and reviewed if necessary. Judging by our survey the debate over smoking remains as controversial as ever, says Trevor. But guidelines are available so that employers can ensure the health and safety requirements for employees are met fairly and within the law.