Hampshire County Council

Buildings, Land and Procurement Panel

Executive Member - Policy and Resources

Smoking and Passive Smoking Issues

Report of the Director of Human Resources

Contact: Gerry Colverson, 01962 813857

How this report supports the Corporate Strategy

This report supports:

Aim 1. - Maximising life opportunities,

Aim 4. - Building strong and safe communities

Aim 6. - Developing councillors and staff

by considering the health and productivity issues relating to smoking and passive smoking in the working environment.

1. Introduction

1.1 This report covers the work undertaken following an earlier report taken to the Business, Land and Procurement Panel in 2004 on smoking and passive smoking issues. The outcome of the work has been the development of a draft policy for consideration by the Panel.

2. Consultation

2.1 The attached draft Policy has been subject to peer review by health and safety, occupational health and human resources specialists. It has been the subject of consultation with the trade unions and, electronically, with staff across the Council. It has been considered in draft by the Health and Safety Management Steering Group chaired by the Chief Executive and comments have been included from the departmental Health and Safety Champions.

2.2 The electronic consultation was fully in favour of the draft policy and the approach behind it. Over 62% of the responses were in favour with only 21% against. The remainder of the responses did not express a view and either commented on the document's wording or asked questions regarding related issues.

3. The draft policy

3.1 The draft policy has been amended by the peer review and consultation processes to ensure that the wording reflects a balanced yet clear message on smoking and passive smoking. The main contentious aspect has been the restriction on smoking in vehicles owned by staff, but which are being used at work to transport another individual as well as the driver. This is to ensure that protection from passive smoking is given as far as is possible. The individual is permitted to smoke if on their own.

4. Conclusions

4.1 The draft policy was written with the Government's views in mind, as set out in the white paper on public health. The draft policy also reflects the views of staff, unions and specialists and is ready for consideration by the members of the Panel.

4.2 When the full implication of the Government's changes to smoking in public places has been implemented, a further review of The County Council's policy should be undertaken.

5. Recommendations

5.1 The Panel advises the Executive Member for Policy and Resources to endorse the following:

5.2 That the draft policy on Smoking and Passive Smoking at Work is adopted as corporate policy.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

N.B. the list includes:

1. Published works

2. Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

TITLE LOCATION

None