Council employees to be banned from taking smoking breaks

A county council is set to ban thousands of employees from taking smoking breaks.

E-cigarettes will also be prohibited from being used in all council buildings, land and vehicles during working hours by Nottinghamshire County Council when new rules come into force in May.

The local authority, which approved the ruling on Wednesday, said the ban was aimed at boosting its workers’ health, increasing time spent working and reducing levels of sick leave.

The ban is said to affect 9,000 council workers.

Joyce Bosnjak, chair of Nottinghamshire County Council's public health committee, said: "The harm that tobacco causes stretches across all parts of society, and if we are to make significant progress in tackling it locally, we also need to ensure that we address it in the workplace.

"We have a responsibility to protect the health of our employees.

"Giving up smoking is recognised by health professionals as the single biggest behaviour change a person can make to improve their health. We are therefore offering support and advice to staff who want to quit, to help them make this positive lifestyle change."

Staff who wish to smoke will be allowed to do so during their breaks and away from council property.

Additional reporting by Press Association.