NICE smoking guidelines 'a step too far'

25/04/07 18:45

Small businesses have bitten back at suggestions that they should start allowing staff paid time off work to attend stop smoking clinics.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) claimed yesterday that small firms should be doing more to help employees give up smoking ahead of the ban on July 1, such as allowing smokers to attend clinics without loss of pay.

NICE has argued that the recommended measures will make good business sense, by helping companies’ workforces become healthier and more productive.

However, these suggestions have been branded ‘dangerous’ by the Forum of Private Business (FPB), which argues that small businesses should not be pressurised to foot the bill to help workers kick the habit.

According to the FPB, the guidelines are being perceived as a step too far by many small businesses, which will already have to shell out to change the working environment, erect signs and remove smoking areas.

A study by insurers MORE TH>N BUSINESS also found that almost half (42%) of UK businesses with fewer than 50 employees were not even aware that they could be fined up to £2,500 for failing to comply with the new law.

“Many businesses will find the NICE suggestion completely impractical and of no benefit,” said Victoria Carson, FPB campaigns manager.

“They are the firms that must not be forced to take up such a scheme,” she added.

However, Gillian Dowling, employment technical consultant at HR consultancy Croner, stressed that these suggestions have yet to be placed on a statutory footing.

“Businesses should have policies in place on how to deal with medical appointments already, and visits to stop smoking clinics should be treated in exactly the same way.”

“There is no legal obligation on any employer to allow for paid or unpaid time off for employees to attend such clinics.