COUNCIL workers who flout the forthcoming smoking ban face disciplinary action.

A new smoke free workplace policy is set to be introduced by Dorset County Council.

Members of the council's staffing committee are due to discuss the policy on Tuesday and if approved it will be introduced in time for the smoking ban, which comes into force on July 1.

A report to the committee by director of corporate resources Elaine Taylor said that the council had a 'restrictive policy on smoking at work' since the 1980s with a smoking ban in force in county council buildings since 1992.

Mrs Taylor said that the new legislation prohibited smoking in all enclosed public and work spaces but she said the council's proposed policy had been extended.

"While the legislation prevents smoking in enclosed public places and work places, the policy has been extended to encompass smoking within the curtailage of all county council premises - that is including smoking outside of county council buildings but on county council property.

"Failure to adhere to the policy can lead to disciplinary action," said Mrs Taylor.

"Any member of staff who does not comply with this policy by smoking in unauthorised areas will be liable to disciplinary action in accordance with the county council's disciplinary policy".

She said that the policy on smoking recognised that secondhand smoke adversely affected the health of all employees.

"It is not concerned with whether anyone smokes but with where they smoke and the affect that has on staff and other members of the public.

"It is also concerned with the exclusion of preventable carcinogenic substances in the locality of our premises."

Employees who smoke will be encouraged to reduce smoking or quit altogether.

"The impending legislation provides welcome support," added Mrs Taylor.