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UNISON action call on work smoking

With fewer than 50 days to go until England introduces a ban on smoking in public places, public sector union UNISON is offering advice to employers on how best to go about it. The union says it welcomes the 1 July enforcement of smokefree legislation. However, it stresses that the implementation of any workplace smoking ban must follow on from consultation with the workers concerned and their safety representatives. 'This gets their buy-in to the policy, eases implementation, and ensures that all relevant issues are considered,' a health and safety spokesperson said. 'UNISON urges employers to consider positive steps to encourage staff who wish to quit smoking, but not to penalise those who do not wish or are unable to quit. An effective policy will make provision for both smokers and non-smokers.' UNISON is also urging employers to consider the health of those workers who are not covered by the forthcoming ban. 'UNISON has many members who carry out their work within someone else's home where the legal ban on smoking won't apply,' said the UNISON spokesperson. 'However, many employers realise that they must still prevent and control their workers' exposure to hazards and are therefore asking client groups not to smoke in the presence of the worker, or for an hour before an appointment, and to allow the worker to ventilate the rooms they work in.' The Department of Health this week launched an advertising campaign to raise awareness of the forthcoming ban.

UNISON news release. Department of Health news release. BBC News Online.

Smokefree England resources. TUC and Hazards smoking webpages.

Briefing document (300 words) issued 18 May 2007