Council staff have been banned from lighting up anywhere on council property, including car parks and grounds, in a tough new crackdown on smokers by Powys County Council.
Staff who flout the new policy could face disciplinary action, and senior staff and councillors have been urged to take action if they witness or receive information about anyone breaching the policy.
The council said its new policy – which replaces and extends one which was introduced in August 2008 banning smoking in any buildings and in vehicles owned or managed by the council – is to protect its employees, elected members and the visiting public from the effects of second-hand smoke.
It also said it wants to demonstrate good practice to the public and local business community through leading by example, becoming a smoke-free council and publicising the health benefits of not smoking.
Under the new policy offices, stairwells, lifts, rest areas, communal work areas, toilets, staff and members car parks (not public) and the grounds are all out of bounds now, as well as smoking within council owned or operated vehicles or vehicles leased or hired for council business.
But the council’s Board, which approved the smoke-free workplace policy on Tuesday, stepped back from banning anyone from smoking in their privately owned vehicle while on council premises.
Facilities will not be provided for smokers anywhere on council premises but those who wish to give up smoking will be offered help to do so.
Sites which are not under the direct management of the county council, such as community halls, will have a responsibility to develop their own non-smoking policy and will be made aware of the council’s policy.
Staff have been warned that ‘the council will take very seriously any flouting of this policy… and disciplinary action will not be ruled out in cases of non-compliance’.
Councillors, directors, heads of service and senior managers have all been urged to take action if they witness anyone smoking on council premises or receive reports of it taking place.
Councillor Liam Fitzpatrick said he was concerned that someone could be facing a disciplinary panel because they had been caught repeatedly smoking in the car park.