Smoking ban has gone down a treat in English offices

As we approach the first anniversary of the smoking ban on 1 July 2008 it looks like it has had a positive effect in English workplaces. Monster research has shown that nearly two thirds of English workers (62%) have found that the smoking ban improved their work environment, however one in three also felt that time was wasted with co-workers/employees leaving the building for cigarette breaks.

Monster.co.uk recently asked 545 workers in England, ìHas the smoking ban improved your work environment?î and the overall results revealed the following:

34% (187 votes) Yes but time wasted with people leaving building for cigarette break
28% (155 votes) Yes ñ the office is a much nicer place to work
24% (132 votes) No - very inconvenient
13% (71 votes) Not really as no one smoked before

While the smoking ban has had less of an effect in offices than in other public places, as many offices have banned smoking for a while, clearly it has still had an impact. Figures show that an average smoker takes six 10 minute breaks each day, which results in a loss of one hour a day per smoker, or five hours a week *. Employees who smoke are also more prone to ill health. It is in every companyís interest to encourage their employees to quit smoking by providing support and raising awareness.

* UK smoking law resource centre http://www.nosmokinglaw.co.uk