Students and graduates back smoking ban, but mixed feelings about fag breaks at work

Student and graduates have aired their views of the smoking ban's impact on the workplace with Milkround.com.

A resounding 74 percent of smokers don't want cigarette breaks banned. But they are almost split down the middle about getting help to quit from their employer. 44 percent said they would be more likely to accept a job with a company offering help quitting smoking, 56 percent would not.

Nearly three quarters of non-smokers are frustrated by smokers and their need for a fag with 72 percent favouring a complete ban on smoking breaks. A total of 65 percent would prefer to join a business offering smoking employees help to kick the habit.

The research by graduate recruitment website Milkround.com also asked 150 students and graduates for their views on the effects the smoking ban might have on business.

The majority of comments backed the ban, with one respondent saying it is definitely an improvement in the long term. Healthier employees who don't skip work every hour or so to satisfy their addiction will certainly help the business. Another, echoing the thoughts of many others, said: With a uniform ban in place, all businesses will be on an equal footing. Productivity will increase with workers spending less time smoking and more time on the job, and profits should rise fairly quickly after the introduction of the ban.



A Scottish respondent added: We've had the ban for a while now and really the only difference I've seen is in the pubs. As far as the workplace goes most people haven't been allowed to smoke in work for much longer than just this smoking ban so really the impact outside of places like pubs is going to be minimal. As irritating as it is for the smokers to go out and have a smoke outside, its equally irritating going out with smokers when you don't smoke and spending half the evening sitting largely alone.

There were only a few who hit out against the new laws. One argued there would be tension between employees who smoke and those who don't which might damage the employment relationship, while some complained of the UK continuing to turn into a nanny state.