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Original poster

smoking ban for school staff

31 replies

hercules · 13/02/2006 22:12

Excuse me if I get the details a little wrong but from Jan 2007 school staff are not allowed to smoke on the premises, within sight of the pupils ie by the gates, or in a vechicle whilst on school hours - eg driving somewhere doing lunch break.

I dont smoke but I know it is going to cause trouble at work.

We have been told that any one going agaisnt this will face disciplinary action.

THe reason for it is the whole healthy school thing and no good teaching it and then kids walking out of the room and seeing staff smoking.

What do you think?

OP posts:
Yorkiegirl · 13/02/2006 22:14

Message withdrawn

Original poster
hercules · 13/02/2006 22:15

there must be but I heard this from our area healthy schools coordinator.

OP posts:
notasheep · 13/02/2006 22:47

I am one of those awful smokers who has stopped so very anti smoking,however my gripe is this healthy eating programme at school-dds diet is fantastic,whilst 2 teachers are massive!!!!!! certainly not setting an example there for fruit at snack time!

Original poster
hercules · 13/02/2006 22:48

I asked that question about overweight staff and exercising and was told no plans there.

OP posts:
Mytwopenceworth · 13/02/2006 23:05

stressed out teachers grumpy cos they are dying for a fag. great. i look forward to the impact that has on my kids education!

either smoking is legal or it is not. Of COURSE protect those who (wisely) choose to not smoke, but it is not unreasonable to make provision for those who do.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 13/02/2006 23:08

I think it is spot on.

brimfull · 13/02/2006 23:09

good idea,might encourage people to give up!

Flossam · 13/02/2006 23:11

Nurses aren't allowed to smoke in uniform (ie easily identifiable) and that is when we are looking after 'grown ups'. I can't believe that teachers are allowed to smoke anywhere near children they teach and influence actually.

paolosgirl · 13/02/2006 23:13

It's a school - it's a workplace - ergo, smoking is banned. As it should be.

expatinscotland · 13/02/2006 23:16

The problem I have is w/a ban on someone smoking in their own vehicle whilst on break, that is, if they have driven off hte premises, then I feel what they do is their own business if they're in their own car. I mean, smoking's not illegal.

A bigger problem I have in schools than w/smoking is junk food and fizzy drinks in vending machines. Now those should be banned, banned banned. Full stop.

expatinscotland · 13/02/2006 23:17

But paolo, a prison is a workplace as well, and smoking won't be banned there - at least, not in Scotland.

Don't see how that's fair. If they're gonna ban it, ban it full stop and cut the namby pampy shite.

Also don't agree w/its being banned in a private, members only club.

And yes, I am one of those vehement former smokers who quit.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 13/02/2006 23:19

Teachers, by the very nature of their job should be setting an example. So asking them to show some restraint during their working hours is not excessive IMO.

paolosgirl · 13/02/2006 23:20

I thought it was just the inmates who were going to be allowed to smoke? Teachers are simply local authority employees, subject to the same legislation as the rest of LA staff. Plus it hardly sets a good example, does it? Neither does the crap that is served for school lunch and from the vending machines IMO.

Mytwopenceworth · 13/02/2006 23:22

i disagree. it is not an illegal activity and unless the government is prepared to make it so, i think people should be allowed to make their own choices. we are not talking about lighting up in the classroom and offering the pack round! there is nothing wrong with a teacher using lunch to go offsite and smoke, or smoke in their car - or even god forbid there could be a well ventilated, air conditioned room available!

  • and btw, i am an EX smoker, not a disgruntled current one!
expatinscotland · 13/02/2006 23:23

I have a problem w/ANYONE being dictacted to as to what they do in their free time, so long as he/she is not engaging in illegal activity and thus breaking the law. This is becoming a huge issue in the US, with a number of high-profile court cases coming to bench, mostly in the American equivalent of an employment tribunal. 9 times out of 10, ruling is in favour of the plaintiff having the right to behave as he/she sees fit in his/her off hours so long as no laws are broken.

What next? Demonising obese teachers for setting a bad example to kids?

paolosgirl · 13/02/2006 23:26

Agree with being able to smoke in your own car, as long as it's off school premises and out of site of the pupils.

You can probably tell I'm a huge fan of the ban.

VeniVidiVickiQV · 13/02/2006 23:26

Didnt say it was their free time though, said it was during working hours.

Again, i believe its about setting an example. Teachers are there not just to teach, they are also, by default, role models, mentors etc. Its the nature of the job. If teachers dont believe they have that much of an influence or impact over youngsters then they truly are in the wrong job anyway.

expatinscotland · 13/02/2006 23:26

Inmates smoking in someone's workplace. But a law-abiding punter is not permitted to smoke in a pub b/c it's someone's workplace. Now one might challenge that the prison is also an inmate's home, but they made a choice to make it so when they broke the law.

I guess the punter can chose to smoke at home as well.

Personally, I think it should be up to the publican to decide how to run his/her business, as smoking is a legal activity.

Again, I am not a smoker.

expatinscotland · 13/02/2006 23:30

I'm NOT in favour of any ban on legal activity, myself. I think if you need to go that far, and it's that harmful, walk the walk and make it illegal.

expatinscotland · 13/02/2006 23:31

Blanket ban that is.

The other problem I have is government telling someone how to run his/her own business so long as the businessperson is not engaging in illegal activity.

paolosgirl · 13/02/2006 23:31

The publican shouldn't have to. So - a pub with 50 people in it, and 10 smoke on one night, 40 on another, 5 the next, and 0 the next night. What is he/she supposed to do? The fact is that the majority of the population do not smoke, and that majority have the right to work and play without having to breathe in carcinogenic 2nd hand smoke. This ban is the best thing that has ever happened to the health of the nation, and will improve public health dramatically. Thank God Scotland has gone one better than England with a total ban. Jack got something right for a change.

expatinscotland · 13/02/2006 23:36

Jack is vomitous. I mean, it's all half ass, just like him. A suspect held in custody in the back of a cop car can smoke in the cop's work place, but a lorry driver can't in his cab once he crosses the border.

A law-abing punter can't, but a prisoner can - and in the towns where these places are located, often the prison is the only source of gainful employment.

I don't go to pubs myself - can't afford them and w/two small kids, getting tanked just doesn't work for me anymore.

But if you're gonna do something do it all the way.

paolosgirl · 13/02/2006 23:39

I thought they could only smoke in prison, once they had been convicted? Main thing is - as I don't plan to ever see the inside of a prison! - I can now go to a pub, restaurant, shopping centre, cafe, bowling alley etc etc etc without ever, ever having to breathe in stinking, foul smoke ever again. Hurrah!!!

Off to bed now...night night all X

DottieParker · 14/02/2006 00:26

I will not worry until they enforce a no drinking policy.

bobbybobbobbingalong · 14/02/2006 06:44

All schools and preschools in NZ are smoking free. It seems to work quite well.

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