Press release     

Tower Hamlets claws back fag-break time from smokers andends discrimination against non-smokers 

Tower Hamletscouncil will be among the first employers in the country to officially recognisesmoking breaks.  Smokers will have halfan hour to smoke during the day but at their own expense.  The idea is to extend the working day by half an hour for smokers, but to level up the working time betweensmokers and non-smokers.

ASH saidthe move ended an unspoken discrimination against non-smokers.  Clive Bates, Director of ASH, commented:

“Everyone takes breaks, but we know that smokers take more breaks and are away from theirwork for longer.  This is about ensuringthat the burdens of smoking don't fall on non-smokers.  It is about smokers taking responsibility andputting as much time into paid work as non-smokers.”

“The main reason for doing this is fairness to non-smokers � many non-smokers justput up with the absences and cover where we can.  But why should someone who doesn't smoke take on more work thansomeone that does?”

“It is a nonsense to claim that smoking breaks are no different to coffee breaks, prayerbreaks, shopping breaks and so on � smokers take these breaks as well.”

“If employers looked at the consequences smoking, they would find other reasons tocrack down � as the effects of the last cigarette begins to fade, so the firstwithdrawal nicotine symptoms begin and the smoking employer begins to crave thenext break, with a loss of concentration, increasing distraction and mountingirritability.  There's bound to be aproductivity loss.

ASH is dismayed at the backing of the trade union Unison for the smokers at TowerHamlets, and rumours of strike action.  CliveBates of ASH said:

“I can't believe a union has gone into the ring to defend unspoken discrimination.  Unison has played an important role insecuring smoke-free workplaces and defending the rights of non-smokers, but nowthey are defending the ludicrous principle of the fag-break at the employer's expense.  

“Isn't it ironic that smokers protest against an employer that just wants them to dothe same working hours as non-smokers by organising the ultimate fag break a strike. 

“I hope all the workers at Tower Hamlets will side with the employer and recognisethat they have taken a sound and sensible step in management of smoking atwork.  At least the smoking breaks willnow be official and not just sneaked from the employer.

Press Contacts:

Clive Bates 020 7739 5902 (w) 0468 791 237 (m) ISDN is available

AmandaSandford 020 7739 5902 (w)