Smoking ban aids workers to quit (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Smoking ban aids workers to quit

4:20pm Tuesday 29th July 2008

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A BLACKBURN-based charity which provides shelter and support for young people is trying to lead by example by introd-ucing a no-smoking policy amongst staff.

Seven out of 12 staff at Nightsafe, which operates the ‘Fusebox’ day centre, two hostels and an emerg-ency shelter for young people, were smokers.

But after changing its policy as a result of the last year’s ban on smoking in public places, three of the seven workers have decided to quit.

They have been helped by East Lancashire PCT Stop Smoking service, who gave a presentation to staff and then held further events.

Operations manager Linda Sharratt said: “Some of our staff were more pos-itive about giving up bec-ause it had become more difficult for them to smoke at work.

“It was especially testing for staff on duty overnight as they had to go outside to smoke. We also have a policy of not smoking in front of the young people who come to us for help.”

Anyone wishing to find out more about the East Lancashire PCT’s Stop Smoking Services on the following numbers: Hyndburn and Ribble Valley – 01254 358095; Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale – 01282 607002.

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