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No Butts - Smoker must quit alone
June 2007
“Quit smoking in your own time” says a survey of Northamptonshire businesses.
Northamptonshire businesses do not think staff should be given paid time off to attend Smoking clinics to help them stop smoking, according to the latest Northamptonshire Business Opinion Panel survey conducted by Matters of Fact.
167 businesses on the Panel, from sole traders to large employers, were invited to give their views on whether smokers should be given paid time off work to attend smoking clinics to help them stop smoking, following the recommendations from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) 82% of the Panel of Northamptonshire businesses did not agree with the recommendations.
Businesses felt that giving up smoking was the individual’s responsibility and not the Employer’s. Also of concern to businesses was the cost of allowing staff time off to attend smoking clinics and that it was unfair to fellow workers.
One panelist felt it was:
“….unfair on the employees who do not smoke and small businesses do not have the resources to cover their absence”
Another said:
“This would cost our business in lost time and productivity that would be very difficult for us to recoup”
Concerns were expressed about the likely success of such schemes and where they would lead. “I can’t afford to pay anyone to try and break a habit. I suppose the next thing will be an anti drink clinic and where will it stop?”
Smokers are already costing businesses financially through lost productivity, absenteeism and fire damage. A quarter of the panel felt smokers had cost them up to £5,000 in the last 12 months with a number reporting even higher costs to the business.
Nearly half of the Panel did not think that NICE’s recommendations would improve the health of staff who smoke and two thirds did not think they would improve productivity.
A few thought the smoking ban on 1st July was a step too far and that people should have freedom of choice. “I think the smoking ban is yet another infringement of human rights and considering the legislation todays seems to be all about respecting human rights where does that fit in?” But many panel members were looking forward to the ban, calling it “brilliant” and “a very good idea”.
Chief executive of Northamptonshire Chamber Paul Griffiths commented that the Business Opinion Panel illustrated the frustration of Northamptonshire businesses with Government interventions which can undermine productivity. “Businesses take the health of their employees very seriously and put in place measures to ensure their safety and well being” he said, “But this is bureaucracy gone mad and could have a detrimental effect on productivity, putting business at risk”.
The full survey results are available at:
www.mattersoffact.co.uk/news/Smoking-in-theWorkplace-Results.html
The Northamptonshire Business Opinion Panel is managed by local research company Matters of Fact in partnership with Northamptonshire Chamber.
Full details of N-BOP and how business can take part can be found at www.mattersoffact.c.ok/businesspanel
For further information about the Panel or Matters of Fact
Email: infor@mattersoffact.co.uk
Be Prepared for smokefree legislation
Visit the Smokefree England website to check that your business is ready to comply with the new law.
Employers, managers and those in charge of smokefree premises and vehicles will need to:
- Display “no smoking” signs in smokefree premises and vehicles
- Take reasonable steps to ensure that staff, customers/members and visitors are aware that premises and vehicles are legally required to be smokefree.
- Remove any existing indoor smoking rooms
- Ensure that no one smokes in smokefree premises or vehicles
You may also want to take these supportive measures
- Remove ashtrays from smokefree areas
- Develop a smokefree policy in consultation with staff
- Offer staff training to help them understand the new law and what their responsibilities are
- Provide your staff and customers with support to quit smoking.
The Government has produced an official guide which explains everything you need to know about the new law and what you will have to do to comply with it. Additional guidance leaflets are also available to both businesses and individuals, along with supporting materials such as a “step by step” wall planner. These can be downloaded or ordered from www.swmokefreeengland.co.uk
Source: In Business June/July 2007
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