Southampton imposes draconian smoking policy

Southampton City Council's new smoking ban has forbidden workers from smoking at any time during a working day - wherever they are.

Councillors have torn up the existing smoking agreement, which included smoking rooms and unpaid breaks. Workers who smoke will face disciplinary action from 1 July.

The new policy - which was imposed without consultation - applies to office staff, refuse collectors and park keepers working in the open, and to care-service workers whose clients smoke in front of them.

The local branch of public services union UNISON is taking legal advice. Members have voted against the ban, described by deputy branch secretary Barry Olson as "unworkable, unenforceable and unfair".