Agenda item

(Technology & Support Services Portfolio Holder) To consider the attached report (C-081-2015/16).

(1)        That the results of the Smoking and Vaping survey of staff undertaken in November 2015 be noted; and

(2)        That, as requested by the Joint Consultative Committee, the revised Smoking and Vaping Policy for all Council offices, workplaces and other Council premises open to the public, attached at Appendix B of the report, be adopted.

The Portfolio Holder for Technology & Support Services presented a report concerning a revised Smoking & Vaping Policy for all Council Offices.

The Portfolio Holder informed the Cabinet that the Joint Consultative Committee, at its meeting on 24 July 2014, had considered a proposal to ban the use of E-cigarettes in enclosed Council offices and workspaces and resolved “That no action be taken on restricting the use of E-Cigarettes for a 12 month period and thereafter conduct an informal staff survey to ascertain the views of members of staff on the use of these products within the office environment.”

The Portfolio Holder stated that a survey of staff was conducted in November 2015 and produced a good response from staff. The results showed that a clear majority of staff wanted vaping (the use of e-cigarettes and other electronic nicotine delivery systems) to be banned within Council offices and enclosed workplaces. The survey was less clear with regards to staff smoking in the grounds of the Civic Offices; however, there was a clear indication that the provision of shelters was not supported and also a clear expectation that the banning of smoking within the grounds would displace the smokers to public land to the front of the building.

The Portfolio Holder reported that the Council’s Smoking Policy had been revised to reflect the views of staff expressed through the survey. The revised policy also reflected the wish of Management Board for a consistent policy to be applied across all Council premises, including the buildings open to the public and the communal areas of tenanted housing complexes. The Joint Consultative Committee welcomed the revised Policy with majority support from both sides, and requested its adoption by the Cabinet.

The Portfolio Holder for Safer, Greener & Transport welcomed the extra provision being made for vaping, and accepted that the staff did not want vaping to be permitted inside the Civic Offices. A report published by Public Health England was highlighted which stated that e-cigarettes had the potential to help smokers to give up. The basement car park was not the ideal location for vaping, and it was suggested that a section of the Staff Canteen could be used for vaping.

Other members of the Cabinet agreed that the basement car park was not an ideal location for vaping, but neither was the Staff Canteen. The Portfolio Holder for Technology & Support Services stated that Officers would examine the use of the Staff Canteen for vaping, and the Policy would be kept under review.

Decision:

(1)        That the results of the Smoking and Vaping survey of staff undertaken in November 2015 be noted; and

(2)        That, as requested by the Joint Consultative Committee, the revised Smoking and Vaping Policy for all Council offices, workplaces and other Council premises open to the public, attached at Appendix B of the report, be adopted.

Reasons for Decision:

To revise the Council’s Smoking Policy to take account of the views of Staff and to include the use of e-cigarettes.

Other Options Considered and Rejected:

(i)         To disregard the views of staff expressed in the survey in respect of smoking and vaping at work.

(ii)        To ban smoking and/or vaping during working hours and on Council premises.

(iii)       To permit vaping within the workplace in all areas or only in designated internal areas.