The long-awaited Public Health White Paper, to be published today by Health Secretary John Reid will announce a ban on smoking in workplaces and anywhere serving food but will stop short of an all out blanket ban.
Smokers will be prevented from lighting up in places that serve food including cafes, restaurants and most pubs but only if adequate ventilation is in place to protect bar staff.
Anti-smoking sentiment is growing in the UK as the lead is taken from countries where no smoking legislation is in place including Ireland, parts of America, Norway and the Netherlands.
More countries look set to make a decision on the issue in the near future. Just last week First Minister Jack McConnell outlined his plans to the Scottish Parliament for an all out smoking ban in Scotland which he said should be in place by spring 2006.
A spokesperson for professional body, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) told HRZone:
“The latest proposals once again raise the question of how employers manage the issue of smoking in the workplace. Many employers will already have ‘no smoking’ policies in place – and HR professionals will be used to working with managers to oversee their implementation.
“Those employers who already ban smoking at work are likely to be driven partly by their legal duty to provide a safe working environment – which means taking into account the impact of a smoke-filled environment on the wellbeing of their people. A ‘clean air’ policy is also likely to reflect the desire to avoid putting-off job applicants and ensuring the satisfaction and retention of existing staff.”
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- Smoking ban backed by EU Commissioner
