This Local Council Is About To Stub Out Smoking Breaks For All Of Its Workers

Workers at one local council could soon find it a bit trickier to enjoy a crafty cigarette break.

That’s because Nottinghamshire County Council chiefs want to stub out social puffing among staff during work hours altogether.

They say that it’s important for the health of its 9,000 employees.

And those who think they will be able to get away with sucking on e-cigarettes also face a crackdown - as they too will be prohibited.

The ban would come into force inside and around all council buildings, land and vehicles, according to the Nottingham Post.

Staff would be allowed to smoke during lunch breaks, but not while in uniform or near council property.

Employees who break the rules will face internal disciplinary action.

Some 1,600 of the authority’s staff are believed to be smokers.

“We are trying to be a supportive employer and have a duty of care to protect the health of our employees as part of a wider remit to take a leading role in promoting better health in Nottinghamshire,” said the council’s deputy director of public health John Tomlinson.

Bosses at public sector Unison, however, say that the new rules would be “unenforceable.”

And they urged the council to help smokers quit, rather than punish them for succumbing to their addiction.

The ban is expected to come into force early next year.

(Stock images sourced from REX)