Council wants staff to report colleagues who smoke or use an e-cigarette on site
Sunday, October 2, 2016 at 19:23 Tomorrow (Monday) Aberdeenshire Council introduces a ban on smoking and the use of e-cigarettes on all council sites.
If you think that's bad read this. According to the council:
"Individuals are accountable for monitoring implementation of the policy on-site and must report anyone not complying."
Last week I said no smoking zones in parks and other outdoor areas were "unwarranted" and "Orwellian" but this really is Orwellian.
Here's part of Forest's press release:
Campaigners have slammed Aberdeenshire Council's new smoke-free policy, to be introduced on Monday October 3, that prohibits smoking or using e-cigarettes on all council sites.
The group is particularly incensed by the suggestion that "Individuals are accountable for monitoring implementation of the policy on-site and must report anyone not complying."
Simon Clark, director of the smokers' group Forest, said: "Expecting members of staff to grass up their colleagues is the sort of thing you'd expect in a totalitarian state.
"What happens if staff refuse to report someone who isn't complying with the smoke-free rule? Will they be reported and disciplined too?"
You can read our reaction in full here – Forest slams council's "Big Brother" anti-smoking policy.
Reader Comments (7)
it's time to resist these on-going attacks on liberty. Smoking bans are totalitarian social control. The health gambit was a lie to ensure early compliance. Now coercion and an outright storm trooper approach are being used to persecute smokers. Reject these bans.
I cannot tell you how glad I am that I no longer reside in The Peoples Democratic Republic of Big Brother Britain.
They encourage smokerphobia and depend on smokerphobics. They are treating us as criminals in readiness for when they criminalise us. Ours is the only social or consumer group facing criminalisation simply for who we are. When will we be afforded legal protection from these bullies?
Only smokers are allowed to be bullied like this. What a ghastly totalitarian council !
I am a non smoker BUT I think the view of Aberdeenshire Council on their blanket non smoking ban is wrong. It (the ban)would criminalise the smoking public for their freedom of choice to smoke. This legislation is biased, discriminatory and unfair. This Government, and its Councils should be ashamed to be penalising smoking, as smoking is, after all, legal and the Government is happy to collect the duty and tax it heaps onto smokers. It is their choice to smoke. WHERE IS THE FREEDOM ? Big Brother is taking a liberty.
A local authority conveniently forgetting that its funding would be even less generous if it weren't for smokers.
A nasty totalitarian bunch and they live off tax! Sanctimonious creeps.