Career Change & Executive Coaching

As an employer, you need a FREE NO SMOKING SIGN DOWNLOAD - because from next year, anyone caught having a cigarette at work will risk disciplinary action. The new health bill, coming into force in summer 2007 covers all workplaces, including offices, manufacturing plants, schools, shops, restaurants and voluntary workplaces - will be smoke-free!

The regulations aren't published yet but is widely thought that they will follow the Scottish model and the Scottish Executive guidance on No Smoking Law. It is already clear however that employers will have to display 'no-smoking' signs with penalties up to £1000 for non compliance. They will also have to actively enforce the ban on their premises or face fines up to £2,500.

All public-sector organisations are due to become 'no smoking' environments by December 2006. Even company vehicles will be no smoking zones. They will have no-smoking signs and a phone number to call to report anyone seen smoking in them. Be warned, no stone has been left unturned in tackling smoking in as draconian manner as possible. Smokers will even be told how many feet from the door that a smoker must stand.

Don't you think it would be a good idea to tackle no smoking legislation in an humane way before next year's law, avoiding any potential legal pitfalls that await? Furthermore, I think all employees should be given a copy of Allen Carr's brilliant book 'Easy Way To Stop Smoking', encouraged to give it a try for their lung's sake. Over 90 per cent of people using his method achieve a result, without weight gain, bad temper or depression.

Allen reports that contrary to long-held cigarette industry and governmental spin, the principle physical symptom caused by nicotine in smoking cigarettes is heightened fearfulness and anxiety.

Many smokers believe that smoking alleviates their anxiety when in fact it does the opposite - makes them fearful of being deprived of the source of their addiction.

Wouldn't it be a better idea for smokers to give up 'cold turkey' now, rather than risk further addiction through NHS nicotine substitutes or hounding by people who are "Just doing their jobs"?