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Caithness News Bulletins December 2005
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HIGHLAND COUNCIL SMOKING BAN When members of the public visit any Highland Council office or property in the New Year they will benefit from a totally smoke-free environment. From Sunday 1st January, 2006 a complete smoking ban comes into effect in all Council premises and vehicles. As the major employer in the Highlands, the Council is demonstrating its clear commitment to public health and to improving the health of its 12,800 employees by implementing the ban, ahead of the Scottish-wide ban which takes effect from 26th March, 2006. No smoking signs are being erected at entrances and throughout all Council owned and leased premises including vehicles; where appropriate. Smoking rooms will no longer be available. Employees and visitors will not be permitted to smoke at entrance doorways and approaches to Council premises. Alistair Dodds, Director of Corporate Services, said: "The Council is wholly committed to improving the health of our staff and improving the working environment and as the biggest employer in the area we want to set a good example. Given the very clear link between smoking and ill health we are implementing this complete ban on smoking. Anyone visiting our offices and premises will benefit from the new smoke free environment that we are working in. This will also prepare our staff for the ban that will be imposed nationwide from 26th March. "We appreciate how difficult it will be for some people to stop smoking and that is why we have written to every member of our staff to advise them of our policy and of the help that is available to them in kicking the habit." Copies of the Council's Smoking Policy can
be found on the internet at |