SMOKING could soon disappear in a puff of smoke from New Forest District Council's offices in a bid to encourage workers hooked on the habit to give it up.

Yesterday the district council's cabinet agreed to stamp out smoking, but there will be no ban until the full council approves its decision at its next meeting in December.

If they agree, smoking rooms will be abolished and a ban enforced on council premises, including communal rooms in sheltered homes and its fleet of vans and lorries.

Workers will be allowed to take paid smoking breaks, but will have to agree an arrangement with their boss and will be expected to make up the time. Smokers will also be encouraged to attend a special quitters' programme, and may be given time off work to go to sessions.

District council chiefs say the aim of the ban is to protect workers and the public from the risks of passive smoking and to encourage employees who smoke to kick the habit.

The earliest the ban would start is January 1.

Leader of New Forest District Council Cllr Mel Kendal said: "If implemented, this ban will send a strong message to local people and employees that passive smoking is a danger to health.

"The council has an obligation as an employer to remove any known health and safety risk from its employees. We feel that we should lead by example."

Smoking-related illnesses, including heart disease, asthma and cancer, lead to many days being lost at work in the UK and cost the National Health Service £1.5 billion a year.

Smoking was banned in individual offices at the council several years ago, but has been allowed in designated smoking rooms and in fleet vehicles, providing there were no objections from workers.

The only exception to the proposed ban would be Dibden Golf Centre, which is also a venue of weddings and social events and has bookings for next year.

Smoker Bob Burns, who works as an assistant engineer at the district council's head office in Lynhurst, said he thought the plan was a good idea.

"I think it's fair enough," he said. "I realise it is a filthy habit and I want to give it up. I am a smoker, but I can't defend it."

First published: November 4