Could cigarette breaks become a thing of the past?

Cigarettes online breaks could be a thing of the past if firms sign up to a new pledge to stop people smoking at work.

Health leaders want smoking to be brought up in appraisals and outdoor smoking areas banned. They want to see companies selling nicotine replacement patches in the office, in schools and even at sports clubs instead.

The NHS and local authority heads have signed a declaration to address the harm caused by tobacco and encourage organisations and businesses to get on board. While it will not place any legal responsibility on employers, it is hoped bosses will create plans to help staff kick the habit.

Dr John Tomlinson, deputy director of public health for Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “Put simply, smoking remains public health enemy number one. It kills around 1,300 people in Nottinghamshire every year. That’s 25 every single week.

“Smoking is the leading cause of why people in certain areas of the county die up to 8.5 years earlier on average than in other parts. These health inequalities are unfair. Why should a grandad in one part of the county expect to live eight years less than in another? It’s something that we can and must address locally.

“We know that smoking costs us vast sums of money as a society – £203 million in Nottinghamshire from things like health and social care and lost productivity in workplaces. In practical terms, by successfully tackling tobacco harm, we can make a significant contribution to the local economy.”

He said the Nottinghamshire County and Nottingham City Declaration on Tobacco Control would be discussed with firms and organisations – which would then be asked to sign up.

Councillor Joyce Bosnjak, chairman of Nottinghamshire Health and Wellbeing Board, said: “The development of our own local declaration calls on major organisations to take a stake in tobacco control and make it all of our responsibilities. We’re in the process of engaging with some of the largest employers in the area to encourage them to sign up.”

The council’s public health team will offer training workshops to support businesses and organisations that sign up. The plan is to start with public bodies but move on to schools, supermarkets and football clubs, among others.