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Ic#ntbelieveit !!!???!!! ... (aka Hexyz E-Zine) 1-Apr-2006 At 3:13:33 PM The HEX

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Cigarette breaks banned
From:
April 01, 2006

Banned ... Workers claim the move discriminates against smokers : WORKERS at a major government department have been banned from taking cigarette breaks during office hours, setting a precedent for workplaces nationwide.

Under the new rules, public servants will only be allowed to smoke during their lunch hour.
Those breaking the ban will be disciplined with verbal and written warnings and counselling.

Smoking will also be banned within 15m of the government department's offices.

More than 3000 staff employed Australia-wide by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources and its associated agencies will be hit by the new rules.

Department chief Mark Paterson told The Daily Telegraph he issued the new edict primarily because of health issues.

"We're moving into a new premises in October that incorporates a childcare centre and I don't want parents and children to be confronted by a phalanx of smokers out the front of the building," he said.
"We're giving people plenty of notice and we're providing financial support for quit programs and other courses. I'm prepared to consider providing support to employees' spouses if that assists them in giving up, too.

"We can't restrict what people do outside of hours and during their lunch hours but we can do so during working hours."

Friends Christina Prineas and Kristi Armstrong, who were enjoying a break within 15m of the department building, strongly objected to the ban yesterday.

" *I c#n't believe it* -- it's a form of discrimination," said Ms Armstrong, a smoker.

"I work at the Tax Office, and maybe 80 per cent of our office smokes. A ban just wouldn't work."

Ms Prineas, who works at nearby Airservices Australia, said she was a non-smoker but still objected to the ban. "They shouldn't be able to restrict your freedoms like that," she said.