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BT smoking ban goes from offices to vans

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BT smoking ban goes from offices to vans

Telecoms giant BT is to ban its workers from smoking in its offices and vans. The company is introducing the ban on 26 March, as legislation outlawing smoking in the workplace comes into effect in Scotland, but more than a year before it comes into force in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. From next month BT's 100,000 employees across the world, including 20,000 outside the UK, will not be allowed to smoke on company premises or in vans bearing the BT logo. Designated smoking rooms will be closed and converted to offices, store rooms or put to other use. The provision of external shelters for smokers will be assessed but staff will be discouraged from having a cigarette outside BT buildings. The company's offices have been smoke free for a number of years but special smoking rooms have been provided and workers have been allowed to light up in company vehicles. Dr Paul Litchfield, BT's chief medical officer, said the ban went no further than the legislation due to take effect in Scotland and that it had seemed 'a nonsense' to have one rule for employees in Dumfries and another for those in Carlisle. He added that the ban was just part of the strategy, and that employees would receive information and support when giving up. BT union CWU said it 'has been engaged with BT on this matter and is supportive of the principle of a smoke-free working environment.' It added however that 'we have a number of outstanding concerns that are still in the process of being addressed.'

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