BURY Council introduced a new smoking policy on August 1 and the recent news story implied that council employees have previously been able to smoke at work. This is not entirely true.

Most Bury Council employees have been unable to "enjoy a cigarette indoors" since April, when many smoke-rooms were closed, without any union consultation.

The implication is that this new policy is being brought in on health grounds, to protect staff from the risks of passive smoking. Councillor Campbell says "passive smoking kills thousands of people", and "I don't think we are doing anything different than all responsible employers are doing". Well, he may be correct on the first point, but how wrong he is on the second!

First, this new policy does nothing to stop passive smoking in the work-place. Previously, smoke-rooms were provided for those staff who smoke. These ventilated rooms kept smoke away from non-smokers, hence there was not a problem with passive smoking for council employees. By closing the smoke-rooms, it is more likely that passive smoking will become a problem as council employees start to smoke in toilets, store-rooms etc. and especially as identifiable employees will no longer be able to smoke outside, even at lunchtimes.

I wonder if the council's insurers will take note of the increased risk of fire that "underground" smoking may cause, when the premium comes up for renewal?

Second, if the issue is about passive smoking and health, then why doesn't the council ban smoking in the Elizabethan Suite during public events, when council staff are at work? Perhaps Coun Campbell can answer this, and the following questions:

Why don't risk assessments -- where they have actually taken place -- for staff working in areas such as the Elizabethan Suite, identify passive smoking as a risk?

Why has the council failed to consult with H&S representatives on this issue? (I know the answer; it is because the council has not got round to setting-up an appropriate central H&S committee, which was requested last December).

Coun Campbell is either not telling the entire truth, or he is being hoodwinked by senior management who have introduced this policy for reasons other than the health of its workers. As I rather suspect it is the latter, maybe he should speak to union officials before issuing statements to the press.

REZMOLE

(council employee, union rep and smoker)