Employees could be banned from having cigarettes outside their offices, the government has suggested, under powers to extend the workplace smoking ban that takes effect next year.

Smoking is to be outlawed in all workplaces in England, including pubs, restaurants and private clubs from next year by the health bill currently before parliament.

But if office workers thought they could simply step outside the door for a smoke, they might have to think again.

The government revealed in parliamentary debate on Monday night that the ban could eventually apply to doorways and entrances of offices and public buildings, as well as to bus shelters and sports stadiums, under a power to extend the restrictions contained in the bill.

The Department of Health said the government had always cited these examples as places where smoking might later be outlawed. But it has consistently emphasised the advantages of a ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces rather than uncovered areas.

Lord Warner, health minister, told parliament the ban could be widened to outside spaces where people were closely grouped. “These places will not be enclosed or substantially enclosed as defined by the regulations but where there is a risk of harm from second-hand smoke due to the inevitable close grouping of people.”

This could mean workers being stopped from huddling outside their office entrances with their cigarettes, if they exposed colleagues coming in or out of the building to clouds of smoke.

Source: Financial Times