Smoking banned from all county council-run property in Nottinghamshire

Controversial plans to ban smoking on all council-run grounds have today been voted through by Nottinghamshire County Councillors.

From next month, staff won't be able to smoke at all during working hours - whether that's indoors or out, or in their cars if it is during their working day. Using e-cigarettes will also be banned.

Video report by Charlotte Cross:

Nottingham County Council's policy committee gave the plans the go-ahead with a unanimous vote, meaning within weeks workers, councillors and visitors to council premises will be banned from lighting up.

Staff who want to smoke will only be able to do so during their allotted lunch break, and even then they will have to leave council land entirely.

The council said the plans formed part of its policy to help people across the county live healthier lives - and help prevent the 1,300 smoking-related deaths each year.

The cost to the county’s economy is also in excess of £200 million, the council said - with 29 fires started from cigarettes, 76 tonnes of litter such as fag ends collected, and £17.7m in extra social care costs every single year for people suffering illnesses linked to smoking in earlier life.

Chair of the council's Public Health Committee, Councillor Joyce Bosnjak, said she was delighted the plans had been approved.

Employees who break the rules will be offered further advice and support, she added - but those who consistently light up on council grounds face possible disciplinary action.

Public Health chief Chris Kelly said the change was about helping workers live healthier lives.

But reaction to the plans from workers and members of the public has been mixed.

Some workers refused to speak on camera, but told ITV News Central they were not happy about being forced off council premises if they wanted to smoke.

Others accused the council of treating workers “like kids” - though others said they supported any effort to help improve the welfare of employees.

In a statement, Forest - which describes itself as the Smoker's Friend, said:

It was 2007 when the Health Act first banned smoking inside public buildings, forcing smokers outside.

Nine years later, for the 8,826-strong workforce at Nottinghamshire County Council, the days of the fag break are over completely.