A ‘No Smoking in Council Premises Policy’ has been developed to protect all employees, elected members, service users, pupils and visitors from exposure to ‘passive smoking’ or ‘second-hand smoke’ and to achieve absolute compliance with the Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Act 2005 and supporting provisions contained within The Prohibition of Smoking in Certain Premises (Scotland) Regulations 2006.
Exposure to ‘passive smoking’ or ‘second-hand smoke’ increases the risk of lung cancer, heart disease and other illnesses. Ventilation or separating smokers and non-smokers within the same airspace does not completely stop potentially dangerous exposure.
The recent introduction of “e-cigarettes” has brought with it much debate about their use within a workplace. Guidance from the World Health Organisation, health professionals within the UK and the findings of a consultation exercise within council have resulted in amendments being made to the council’s “no smoking guidance”. The Council’s stance is that the use of e-cigarettes is not permitted within a council workplace, other than in areas permitted by legislation, ie smoking rooms within Care Homes.