If nursery staff smoke (away from the children)...?

[Lambton]

does this still have an effect on them? Will they be subject to the effects of passive smoking even if it is not done near them?
I see some of the staff at my ds's nursery smoking at the bus stop.

No, I don't think it will affect the children. The staff will be taking their coats off when they get to the nursery anyway.

yes when they exhale there will be some yuk coming from their lungs for a while after smoking and smoke residue on their clothes. When Ds left SCBU we were advised "don't let smokers hold baby, if they do make sure they wash their hands first and change their clothes"

My midwife told me smokers exhale foul stuff including carbon monoxide for up to half an hour after each fag.

Not sure there's much you can do about it though.

I don't think nursery workers should smoke before work or during breaks/lunch hours. If they smoke in the evenings/weekends that is up to them though - you could say the same about nurses/doctors etc...

How many hours before work would you ban them from smoking? You can't really try to control someone's free time like that.

they're probably overworked and underpaid...

I'd just chill out and leave them to it if I were you.

Yes, babies can be affected by passive smoking on adult's clothes and in their breath etc.
In our nursery, we are not allowed to smoke in our uniform or within sight of the nursery. Not that I smoke. The smokers have to change out of their uniform if they want a fag. And they can only do it on their dinner break.

How do you feel about that PP?
As a (sort of) Nursery Owner I wouldn't employ anyone who smoked - as I don't feel they have the best interest of the child in mind

But I accept that is prejudiced & probably unfair

Katy, I wouldn't employ any one who smoked either!
I have never smoked and can smell it instantly on a person.
When the smokers come back, they spray themselves with perfume which actually makes me gag.
That can't be good for the babies either!

It is in our policy that staff CANNOT smoke in any of their breaks. The nature of the job means that I don't think this is at all unreasonable. No one wants to hand their baby over to someone who stinks of smoke. The before work smoking is a grey area though. Luckily very few of our staff smoke and i have never smelt it on them.

I'm still cross the midwife went out and had a cigarette while I was in the bath after having DS2. OK, it was nearly 7 years ago...but would it still be allowed now?