Passive smokers must clear the air
16 July 2005
BOSSES are breaking the law by exposing workers to second-hand cigarette smoke, a leading employment lawyer has warned.
People who are forced to breath in smoke as they carry out their work are being subjected to dangers which breach Health and Safety regulations, says Jane Booker of MWR solicitors in Preston.
The Government has begun a public consultation into proposals for a partial smoking ban in England.
If sanctioned the ban could see smoking stubbed out in most UK workplaces including businesses which sell food - but staff in over 30,000 pubs and private clubs which don’t serve food would still be vulnerable.
Reports suggest that passive smoking at work may kill more than 600 people in Britain each year.
Jane, a partner at MWR, said: “It is the duty of the employer to ensure the working environment is safe.
“If an employee is exposed to smoke, especially if they have an existing condition such as asthma, then the employer is failing in his duty.
“Worried workers should raise a grievance with their superiors. If they are suffering physical effects they should see their GP and seek medical assistance.
“It is not acceptable for employers to say breathing in smoke is an occupational hazard.”
