Is it right to stop staff smoking at work

[in2town]

I am not a smoker but I do feel for people who do smoke and can no longer smoke at work. In the old days a lot of work places had a smoking room which worked well but now that has gone. I know staff at the local hospital have to go off the grounds if they want a cig break. They have to work five minutes out of the hospital, and if they only have a 15 minute break, then that is no time at all. It does seem silly to me that staff have to go outside to smoke and a lot of the time in the rain and wind. I agree about smoking in public places should be banned but surely people at work should be given a place where they can smoke

I have just added a poll on our website to see if you agree if people at work should be given or not given a room to smoke in, within their work place. If you have time please answer yes or no on my site www.in2town.co.uk

 

[confused]

I agree, I smoke, and if I dont have my fix then I get grumpy. Some places I know of only allow people to smoke at lunch break, I should think this would reduce productivity since people who smoke and and allowed to for whatever reason will feel the effects which will in turn reduce concentration etc.

 

[Mattonella Tile Studio]

I don't smoke, but I think people who want to should be able to within reason. It disrupts an evening when you're with smoking friends who have to go outside for a cigarette.

Smoking areas would be my solution.

 

[Cornish Steve]

Agreed. A designated smoking area is a good solution, if it's possible (and often it isn't). On the other hand, it's quite OK for a company to implement a no-smoking policy. I have no problem with that as long as everyone knows about it up-front. After all, why should one group of people be allowed longer breaks than others? What I fundamentally disagree with is the government telling companies what they can and cannot do.

 

[MH1]

Is it right to stop staff smoking at work

To right it is, fed up watching the lazy ones crowded around the doors having a smoke break over the years whilst normal people had to continue working for the same salary.

I took over as manager at a company and the uproar when I banned ciggie breaks during company time was a sight to see, had no problem with them lighting up during their tea breaks and lunch hour, but no longer on company time since it created a two tier workforce.

The whole lot stopped complaining after a week or so, much better atmosphere with all staff being treated the same.

Lets be honest, ciggie breaks were a code word for having a laze about on company time. Glad it's over, yet to hear of one death from the introduction of the new law.

 

[in2town]

Everyone should receive and do receive a 15 minute break twice a day on an eight hour day, so they should have the option to have a cig or not, but they should not be forced to have to either go out in the rain or walk five minutes to have a cig. The government has gone over the top. The stuido at coronation street built a shelter for the staff and actors to have a smoke, but because it had a rough and it had side windows with no door, like a bus shelter, they were told to pull it down as it was classed as a public building. Now that is silly. There has been talk about banning smoking at bus shelters and people who work at home, have to have a sign saying no smoking which is very over the top

 

[deniser]

The ban does have its downside for non smokers too;

1. We can't sit at outside tables anymore because all the smokers sit there squashed into a small space and depsite being outdoors the smoke still gets to you

2.The workers from the shop next door congregate outside my back door and the smoke seeps into my shop through the door frames.

Being an ex-smoker I am particularly anti smoking!!

 

[in2town]

A friend of mine Claire Hegarty who is a well known health expert as seen on tv www.clairehegarty.co.uk and heard always on the radio has found more and more people are going to her to either give up smoking because they can no longer smoke at work or are going to her to reduce their stress levels and find ways of working a full day without a cig. The government have not thought this through, they should have said either have a smoking room or said lets help smokers and refer them to people who could help them with coping with not smoking at work.

 

[rjharrison]

(I'm a non-smoker).

I think the general direction with smoking bans is a good thing and personally support a hard-line stance on it; but maybe large companies need to be pragmatic about their policies?

It reminds me of smokers at school: 6th-formers were not allowed to smoke on school grounds, so they all smoked 1m outside (in a park). This caused litter and damage to the area and the school got in trouble from the council... so the school banned smoking in the park... and the kids just moved to another area... and so on.

I don't really have any sympathy for smokers though: if you don't like having to walk 10mins for a 5mins smoke, then either change job or stop smoking.

 

[Cornish Steve]

I don't really have any sympathy for smokers though: if you don't like having to walk 10mins for a 5mins smoke, then either change job or stop smoking.

I don't like people who pick their nose or scratch their behinds or smell of last night's curry or talk too loudly on the phone or support Arsenal. My preferences, however, should not be the basis of any law. While I respect your opinion, your lack of sympathy for smokers is totally irrelevant. For the record, I'm a non-smoker who hates the smell of smoke, but that should not affect company policies. We should write company policies because they make sense, not to cater to personal opinions.

 

[in2town]

Are we now living in a nanny state, we have been proud over the years that we have free speach etc but now that has gone. We cannot demonstrate, we do not get a say on things like labour said we would when they came to power and now we cannot even smoke at work, although I am a non smoker. But I feel that the government are now telling us what we can and cannot do and all those people who are addicted to cigs are suffering because we are now living in a nanny state. Is the next step as one MP has suggested, that we stop smoking at home

 

[KM-Tiger]

When I was an employer, as the business owner I could decide when I took a cigarette break, and I had no problem with employees doing the same.

I judged employees by results, not by how closely their behaviour resembled an automaton.

 

[creacom]

The government have not thought this through, they should have said either have a smoking room or said lets help smokers and refer them to people who could help them with coping with not smoking at work.

Why should they be referred to someone? Surely it is something that they should have to deal with and should know about themselves. If that person choses to seek help then that is their decision and as far as I see not something that the company should be concerned with. The next step would then be people wanting time off to go and get help stopping smoking! Thats my take on it anyway.

I don't have a problem with people smoking at work, as long as it's done outside. Maybe in an ideal world companies should provide some sort of shelter but its not always possible and will be costly. As for a smoking room, maybe I'm being harsh but in my experience they are dingy places that personally I would not want in my office block.

Imagine welcoming a client into your building and they have to walk past a smoke filled room. Again, in my experience even with the door closed and ventilation you can smell it as you walk past. I am sure that a lot of smokers would agree that smoking rooms tend to be horrid environments.

Lol, as I am sure you have already guessed I am not a smoker! But I do have sympathy for those who smoke and want to quit before you all stone me to death!

 

[in2town]

I am not a smoker but I do believe that people should receive help if they are being told to not to smoke while at work.

 

[Cleveregg]

(non smoker)

A place I used to work in had a smoking room with no windows or ventilation and the smell was that bad that even the smokers wouldn't go in there.

What about when smokers take a cigarette break in between official breaks and lunch? Wherever I have worked they never seem to be questionned about it, told they're taking too many etc. What if non smokers just stopped answering the phone, serving customers, inputting on a computer whatever the job is, 5 times a day for 10 minutes at a time...I bet that would be questionned!

 

[in2town]

I am not saying that smokers should get special treatment, i am saying that smokers should be allowed to have a cig twice a day within the work place with their official 15 min break

 

[KM-Tiger]

As for a smoking room, maybe I'm being harsh but in my experience they are dingy places that personally I would not want in my office block.

Depends how they are done. Zurich airport is a shining example of how to keep everyone happy.

 

[estwig]

Good thread I can climb on my high horse!!

Having just stopped smoking going from 40 B&H a day to nothing, cold turkey style, (god I'm 'ard!!) sod the smokers, they should not be pandered to in any way at all. In fact flogging every morning for being such week willed pussys, should be compulsory!!!

 

[in2town]

how long did it take you to stop smoking and what was your reason behind it

 

[estwig]

how long did it take you to stop smoking and what was your reason behind it

Health and social reasons, it is so boring having to go outside all the time for a fag. It took no time at all to stop, put my last cigarette out on Wednesday 4th June and was instantly a non smoker.

 

[Cornish Steve]

Health and social reasons, it is so boring having to go outside all the time for a fag. It took no time at all to stop, put my last cigarette out on Wednesday 4th June and was instantly a non smoker.

So you're two weeks into it? It's not over yet, so good luck. Should you fail, just let us know and we'll arrange the flogging.

 

[Cornish Steve]

Depends how they are done. Zurich airport is a shining example of how to keep everyone happy.

The Swiss used to be terrors for smoking, amazing really when we think of Switzerland as a country of fresh air. Trains were particularly bad; you couldn't see from one end of the carriage to the other, regardless of whether it was marked as No Smoking. Zurich airport too was terrible; there was a constant grey haze. When anti-smoking policies are implemented sensitively, the results can still be great - as you point out for Zurich airport. It doesn't need draconian measures from the government.

 

[Ashley_Price]

I notice all those who say that there should be a smoking room don't appear to mention who should pick up the cost of having a room specifically set aside for smokers.

The company still have to possibly pay rent (unless they own the building) and certainly have to pay for lighting, heating, decoration, furniture (and the repair maintenance thereof), etc., for this room that can only be used by one part of the workforce.

Smokers who feel there should be smoking rooms - would you be happy with a lower salary to help pay for a room that has been set aside specifically for you?

 

[Cornish Steve]

I notice all those who say that there should be a smoking room don't appear to mention who should pick up the cost of having a room specifically set aside for smokers.

It's up to the company. If they want to do it, great. Why should you care?

Some companies offer nurseries for mothers with young children. Isn't that unfair on employees who have no children? Why should they pay for the nursery? Other companies offer a fitness room. Isn't that unfair on employees who don't want to exercise? Why should they pay for the room? Others pay for coffee machines. I don't drink coffee. Isn't it unfair on people like me who prefer to drink tea? And what about the recreation area? Why should employees be encouraged to waste time playing pool or ping-pong?

The point I'm making is that companies should decide - not outsiders, not idealogues, and most definitely not the government. Surely this is a basic rule of business.

 

[Ashley_Price]

It's up to the company. If they want to do it, great. Why should you care?

Because I run the company!

 

[Cornish Steve]

Because I run the company!

Then we're agreed. You decide, boss.

 

[TSx]

(non smoker)

I work on a team with 6 other people, and only one of them smokes - we only get an hour long lunch, no 'official' breaks (although we're free to go and get a drink, take phone calls, whatever) - but the one smoker on the team does take a 15 minute break every morning and evening - and you notice the resentment building up. It basically means that every 30 working days, you've done an extra days work than that person.

In another job I had, I managed to pursuade the manager (wasn't actually my intention) to bring in a policy of being able to buy back the extra time - so you got 15 minutes worth of 'quick breaks' which you could either use for smoking, or chatting, or you could just get the extra 15 minutes pay. It was in a shopping centre restaurant, so a very busy environment.

 

[creacom]

I am not saying that smokers should get special treatment, i am saying that smokers should be allowed to have a cig twice a day within the work place with their official 15 min break

But they can have a cig during their break. Its just that now they have to do it outside. The thing is, a lot of people don't like smoking or smoke and as its also a risk to the health of smokers and non the I don't see why they should do it in an office space.

Very good debate going on about it now.

Good luck with it Estwig, good decision.

Jacqui

 

[TSx]

in2town, have you just mass posted this to many forums? I've just found it on another forum I frequent at SheffieldForum. Just seems a bit odd, but maybe it's just co-incidence.

 

[estwig]

So you're two weeks into it? It's not over yet, so good luck. Should you fail, just let us know and we'll arrange the flogging.

Over what time period would be success be considered to have been achieved, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 1 year?? As soon as you have put out your last cigarette you are a non smoker.

I'll let everyone know if it goes down hill!!

 

[Jenni384]

As soon as you have put out your last cigarette you are a non smoker.

And that's the right attitude that will help you stay a non-smoker
Good luck estwig.

As to the OP, as a non smoker (never smoked) I love the fact that pubs are smoke free, and if someone wants to smoke then why shouldn't they stand outside. However there have been some very valid points made regarding employee efficiency and wellbeing (no-one wants a grouchy employee) and I think as long as the employer is fair across all his/her staff, there's nothing wrong with providing somewhere decent for staff to smoke.

 

[creacom]

There are local councils that give their smoking employees £50 to help them stop smoking! They use it as an incentive and say it will help people pay for their patches. Fantastic!

If I worked for the council I would apply for £50 to help me stop eat cakes.

Jacqui

 

[lockie]

I love the smoking ban especially out in a pub. Its unfair in the work place on non smokers as so many "just pop out for a fag" thus doing less work.

As for being grumpy employees does that mean if an alcoholic in the office hasn't had a drink should they be able to go and have a drink ?
What about the drug addict who needs a fix ?

At the end of the day if you have an addiction do something about it instead of moaning about everything around you that prevents you pursuing your addiction.

Its a choice, as estwig has discovered, do something about it or keep on making excuses about not being able to pursue the addiction when you want.

Its about the only sensible thing the government has done in years.

 

[borobabe]

I love the smoking ban especially out in a pub. Its unfair in the work place on non smokers as so many "just pop out for a fag" thus doing less work.

As for being grumpy employees does that mean if an alcoholic in the office hasn't had a drink should they be able to go and have a drink ?
What about the drug addict who needs a fix ?

At the end of the day if you have an addiction do something about it instead of moaning about everything around you that prevents you pursuing your addiction.

Its a choice, as estwig has discovered, do something about it or keep on making excuses about not being able to pursue the addiction when you want.

Its about the only sensible thing the government has done in years.

How interesting, having read this thread all the way through the one thought in my head was 'what about the alcoholics who want a drink while at work?'
You literally took the words out of my mouth.

BTW im a non smoker.

 

[.Spiralling.]

I can't bear smoke rooms. When I worked in places that had them and was a smoker, I hated them. Having the smell and smoke of your cigarette is one thing, but who wants to sit in the smell and smoke of 20 other people's? This is exactly why I think the smoking ban in public places was right. It's not fair to inflict it on everyone else.

If I wanted to smoke at work, I'd have to go off site - it's a school and I think that's right too.

I've never worked for a company who allowed smokers to take extra breaks. Og, I take that back - straight out of uni I managed a restaurant where the owners allowed people to choose not to take a 15 minute break and to get paid for those 15 mins instead. One person never took it, but would "pop out" for several fags during the shift. Some people resented it. It got knocked on the head pretty damn sharp after I caught him rolling a fag on a worktop in the kitchen. He didn't like the fact that he had to lose 15 minutes per day to go and have his 3 or 4 smokes, but that's life.

 

I smoke, though not serious amounts. I have no problems with people who do not want to smoke, and have no desire to force my fumes onto them.

I am happy enough with the smoking ban, though they take some things a little too far, such as the example of the Coronation St set someone mentioned above.

I was never a fan of 'smoke rooms' as they were usually smelly places, and I would always have opted to go outside anyway.

I have no problems with standing outside the pub when I want a smoke, and if anything this keeps the number of cigs smoked down a bit (you can tend to get a bit carried away when there is alcohol involved).

The pubs smell nicer, and are much more pleasant to sit in. People always say that smokers have the smell of smoke on their clothes, but this is virtually a thing of the past now, particularly in pubs etc. People should realise that, whilst some people choose to smoke, they do not like to be reeking of the bloomin stuff all the time either.

Oh, and GL to Keith on his stopping

 

[JoyDivision]

I would love to say in job adverts "We are a none smoking company, smokers are welcome to apply but fag breaks will be taken out of your pay!" :

 

[Logan]

I am a smoker

And i was a smoker when i have started to work...

in an office no one works for full 8 hours, spending at least 1 hour chatting with other office staff, going to toilets, personal phone calls, personal e-mails, can anyone tell opposite?

I am having one cigi in the morning and one after lunch and no more than 10 min. , 20 min in total...

And i am going outside which also a plus as i also need some fresh air,sunshine, that really makes me feel better as i am working in front of computer all the time and also the experts says that if you are working in front of the computer you have to give a five min break on every hour...

If i do not do that, i will work less,be more stressful, will cost company more than my 1 day work in a month!

 

[SillyJokes]

Isn't the bigger picture not about an individual's right to smoke but a move to make smoking difficult and antisocial so that overall we become a healthier society?

How can you argue with that when people are so ill as a result of smoking?

I gave up smoking when I met Top Hat. He doesn't smoke, my new job had a no smoking policy and so I just phased it out of my life - easy.

I wish I could get all my staff to give up smoking but I can't do that even though I care about them and their long term health. These measures are being done on my behalf almost, and I hope they help a lot of people to give up.

 

[An Oasis]

I love the smoking ban especially out in a pub. Its unfair in the work place on non smokers as so many "just pop out for a fag" thus doing less work...

Utter ********

Safety Scene has a crew of 12 nearly 45% smoke and they all graft to the point that most people would not think possible.

On the landscaping side 40% smoke and there is no difference whatsoever everyone pulls their weight.

On the plant hire side I'm the only person that smokes and I can work anyone into the ground, without even breaking into a sweat. You have just bought into the government propaganda about smokers.