Smoke-free workplaces

Smoke and Work

From 6am on Sunday 1st July 2007 virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces became smokefree.

For information about this go to www.smokefreeengland.co.uk or ring 0800 169 1697 to reach the information call line. On the site you can register and request signs and information for your business.

If you want to report a problem with people not complying with the law call either:

National Complaint Line on 0800 587 1667

Bristol City Council on 0117 922 3838
or email health.safety@bristol.gov.uk

We have produced a newsletter 'The Burning Issue' about the legislation.

Download the 'Burning Issue' (PDF, 320K)

Bristol businesses and residents can find out how to comply with the new law by using the city council web site.

Most people who have had to work in smoky conditions are low paid workers with limited control over their working environment. The smokefree workplace legislation is about tackling inequality as well as protecting people from the harm caused by smoke.

Facts about smoking at work

Most at risk have been workers in the hospitality trade. Workers in pubs, clubs, restaurants and hotels were often continuously exposed to very smoky conditions. They have a 50% increased risk of developing lung cancer; this will drop now that they work in clean air.

An estimated 617 workers have been dying every year in the UK from second-hand smoke in the workplace. More than die from industrial accidents (about 230 a year), and drink driving (about 500 a year).

Smoking policy

Employers are responsible for ensuring smoking does not occur inside their premises. It is best to have a written policy on smoking so that staff and management are clear about their responsibilities. The law is here to help your staff - and everyone else - breathe fresher air.

Smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke leads to:

More sick pay
Lost productivity and output
More sick days taken. 34 million working days are lost in England and Wales per year because of sickness absence resulting from smoking related illness.
Increased stress levels

When developing a policy the most difficult issue is usually smoking breaks. It is an issue of equality. Do non-smokers in your workplace have the same amount of breaks as smokers?

The cost of smoking breaks
15 employees, a third are smokers	5 smokers
Each smoke 5 cigarettes per day	25 cigarettes per day
Each cigarette takes 7 minutes to smoke	175 lost minutes per day
5 working days x 175 minutes	14hrs 35mins lost per week
If employees are paid £8 per hour you lose	£116.38 per week
That’s a grand total of: (based on 48 working weeks)	£5,584 pa

What are the benefits of a Smokefree Workplace?

The benefits of going Smokefree include:

Increased productivity
Reduced sickness and absence
Improved staff morale
Reduced legal costs connected with health and safety issues
An increase in the positive image projected by the company
No need for expensive ventilation systems
Compliance with the smokefree legislation

Workers not covered by the smokefree law

Some workers still go into smoky places to carry out their duties. Exempted places like bedrooms in adult residential care homes or hotels, and people’s homes may still be smoked in.

Plumbers, builders, health workers and financial advisors are just a few of the workers who will still be exposed to secondhand smoke. Employers can try to protect their staff and provide them with clean air during these visits by asking householders not to smoke while the worker is in the house.

See the 'How to bring in a smoking policy' page

The employer may decide to build a smoking shelter or set aside a specific area outside for smoking breaks. You can get advice on erecting smoking shelters from Bristol City Council Planning Department. Tel: 0117 922 3097 or ptsd@bristol-city.gov.uk

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