Smoke Signals
Now that the smoking ban is in force in England, it could be time for employers to take action to help their workers to quit.
A survey of more than 1,800 UK employers, by recruitment agency Manpower, found that only 20% of companies were providing advice on how to quit smoking.
However, a call to allow employees to attend stop-smoking clinics in work hours, without loss of pay, has been criticised by the Forum for Private Business (FPB). It is also unlikely to go down well with local small and medium-sized businesses either.
The suggestion came from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). In response, the FPB has suggested the NHS should set up and pay for after-work, stop-smoking clinics
FPB argue that companies have already had to pay for changes to the workplace such as putting up signs and removing smoking rooms.
Companies that have so far failed to prepare for the smoking ban, which came into force on 1st July 2007, should act quickly or they could face a court appearance and fine.
Staff also risk a fine if they light up. Employees could face a fixed penalty notice of £50 or be fined up to £200 in court. It therefore makes sense to include no smoking rules in employment contracts.
Educating customers could be more difficult, according to Philip Moody, senior membership representative at the FPB. He says: "If a customer is smoking, then there is the possibility that you may offend him or her and lose that person's custom. But the consequence of inaction could be a costly fine, so a diplomatic approach must be taken."
Contact
Judith Ellery Head of Employment
Bethan Southcombe Solicitor
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