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Your views on smoking at Community Base
Here are the views of people working at Community Base, or hiring our conference room, about smoking at Community Base sent to us during a consultation in summer 2009.
Following this consultation the Community Base board agreed some basic rules about smoking at Community Base.
1
Some of the people who congregate at the South Wing to have a smoke can be a bit of a pain, I must admit. If I want to enter/exit the building that way then it often means having to walk through all the smoke which is pretty unpleasant. On a few occasions, some people seem really reluctant to move aside in order to let me in - I think it may be viewed as a 'smoking area' rather than an entrance/exit by a small minority.
It's always a difficult one because obviously those who smoke have a right to do so but as long as it does not make anyone else have to breath it in, it's fine by me. I am also mindful that as a building that supports the local community, we have a certain amount of responsibility to promote a 'healthy lifestyle' so maybe smoking should be not on view to the public, that is, at the front of the building. Again, controversial.
Well, that's a few thoughts from me. Hope it helps.
Name withheld
2
Thanks for asking about the smoking issue.
When we have our windows open, smoke drifts in from smokers on the balcony outside our office. This isn't a problem in cold weather when the windows are shut, but fairly unpleasant in summer.
I think it is useful for smokers to be able to smoke near their workplace rather than on the pavement outside and I don't know if anywhere else could be found on the building less close to offices.
All the best with your deliberations.
Kind regards,
Sarah Mann
Project Officer, Friends, Families & Travellers
3
Yes I have to agree with my colleague Sarah. In the summer when the windows are open we experience quite a bit of secondary smoke inhalation in the FFT office and it can be pretty unpleasant for non smokers. What's even worse is when the cigarette end receptacle on the balcony outside the office catches fire. We've had to douse it with water two or three times and it leaves a horrible stench when it happens. And whilst I'm being grumpy I have to mention that when the windows are open in summer conversations between people on the balcony can occasionally be incredibly intrusive. Maybe some people don't realise that there is an office adjoining the balcony because I've, unwillingly, been privy to quite a few loud conversations that I'm sure the participants thought were taking place in private.
Chris Whitwell
Director, Friends, Families and Travellers
4
I think that Community Base should continue to allow smoking in the balcony areas. As a smoker who does a stressful job I find it convenient that there are areas in my workplace I can go to for a break. I think that the alternative, for example to go to Brighthelm gardens for a cigarette would be too disruptive to my work schedule.
Regards
Graham Delahunt
Immigration Legal Service
5
I'd like to see it banned altogether.
Smoking is the only addiction which is inevitably shared by those unfortunate enough to be standing near the addicted person.
It isn't acceptable that people entering the building, or people wishing to enjoy fresh air on the balconies have to walk through a wall of smoke.
Those who wish to smoke can do so in the gardens during their breaks. I'm a Zero Tolerance person on this!
Cheers
Liz
Assert
6
As a smoker (and one of five smokers amongst nine staff in this office) I am extremely grateful that I am able to go out on to one of the balconies and enjoy a cigarette, and I consider Community Base a truly non-discriminatory building in every sense in allowing smoking on the premises.
Also with the organising of courses / parties etc in the conference room, I think it is almost a selling point that attendees wouldn't need to go outside the building should they like to have a cigarette, therefore avoiding too-long break times (for instance), and any security issues which may arise from their inability to regain access to the building.
My only concern with regard to the balcony areas is that the ash trays are not emptied very regularly, which encourages some people to just dispose of their cigarette on the balcony itself, so perhaps this is something that could be addressed?
I enjoy working here. I have a reasonably stressful job. Being able to go out once or twice a day for a smoke is a huge valve release for me, and definitely helps my productivity. I know, from previous experience, that I would not just go outside for some ‘fresh air' if I were feeling stressed until it reached a level where I couldn't bear to be in the office any longer.
I went through a whole consultation process about twenty years ago with regard to coffee breaks being taken at your desk, or going outside for a coffee and a cigarette. Those who chose to take their breaks at their desk accused the smokers of getting extra time away from the office, so the employers assured them that they too were welcome to take their coffee outside and just not smoke. Now, the smokers still leave the office for a cigarette, out in the street, yet still get breaks at their desks, whilst the non-smokers just get to spend all day at their desk.
I would imagine that those ‘raising concerns' are possibly people who either don't, or used to, smoke.
Please keep smoking at Community Base.
Thank you for your time.
Cheers
Jane
SCIP
7
I smoke. I support the right of people not to breathe my smoke.
I suggest that CB makes a smoking area on the fifth floor balcony at the south end. This should be covered to make it all weather. A screen at the south boundary might be needed to ‘protect’ the neighbours and give some shelter from the wind.
Ban smoking on the fourth floor balcony as smoke can drift into offices. However if people want to go up onto the upper level that’s fine. It gets the morning sun, and the seagulls don’t nest there any more.
If you really need to, ask people to step away from the entrance a bit. But I think that’s being just a bit too PC. How far is far enough? Beyond the brass studs in the pavement is the strict answer, but do we need to be that pedantic?
Hope this helps. Feel free to pass on my suggestions for debate.
Best regards.
Marcus
SCIP
8
My thoughts on smoking…
With regards to smoking outside the main reception doors, I think it would be unpleasant for me to have to enforce this as many times vulnerable clients either come early, or are kept waiting at reception, for their appointments and nip out for a smoke while they wait. They rarely stand in the doorway, preferring generally to move along a bit, but I can easily call them or wave through the window when they're on the pavement, which I couldn't do if they had been sent further away.
With regards to reception workers / locums who smoke, if it were to be banned from smoking by the main reception window area it would be impossible to smoke during the working day (other than at lunch) as whoever is working on reception needs to keep an eye on the reception area while they take a few minutes break, and as the reception staff don't have formal mid morning or mid afternoon breaks it seems a little unreasonable to expect them to not have that option open to them.
In principle I am very supportive of keeping the work environment smoke free, but I also think it's reasonable for people to be able to smoke in the open air if they so wish. Generally those who smoke near to the main reception area are very good about stepping away from the actual doorway, and also are now in the good habit of not throwing their cigarette butts on the pavement.
Hope that's helpful
Deborah
9
As project manager of a group where around 80% of the membership are smokers (for better or worse it goes with the territory) I value the existence of a breakout space on the balcony for our people to enjoy a cigarette. It is a consideration in our decision to hire the Conference Room for some meetings and training sessions.
If a ban on balcony smoking was introduced I expect our smokers would go down to the street outside South Wing. I would not have a problem advising them to keep clear of the door, but monitoring and enforcement could be problematic and potentially awkward. Please remember that some of the smokers outside the South Wing entrance are not Comm. Base users, they are just waiting for a bus.
Glad to see that Community Base is consulting with stakeholders before implementing any changes to the smoking policy. I hope it's not a token exercise before imposing the will of the non-smoking majority.
Regards,
Mark Mills BA. ADAP.
Project Manager
The GOAL Group
10
I don't mind smoking in balcony and out side premises. I am not a smoker myself.
thanks
femi Hughes
11
Fortunately the majority of our volunteers do not smoke. I feel it is reasonable to ask smokers to go outside the building. I think the balcony for the conference room should be kept smoke free for everyone's enjoyment.
I am unsure of the impact of other balconies on offices so don't feel able to coment.
Regards
Lesley Heasman
Co-ordinator Brighton Homeless Healthcare
St John Ambulance Sussex
12
I think that it is fine to offer a place for people to smoke if they wish, it looks better than on the pavements outside
Claire Pooley
Area Services Manager - Sussex Rethink
13
It seems to me that the only issue really is non smokers having to access the building past someone, or a group, who may be smoking by the doors. As they will be potentially exposed to second hand smoke for approximately 1 second as they walk through the door after making there way through the less than savoury atmosphere of central Brighton, it seems to me to be making rather a mountain out of a molehill. Lets face it, it is not as though there are hoards of inconsiderate louts flicking nub ends around and creating some sort of impenetrable haze of toxic fumes throughout the entire working day. Get a grip – I think there are more serious issues we should be concerned about.
I cannot begin to imagine that any smoker working here having a quick fag break, would make it difficult for anyone trying to get in or out !
As a smoker, I have been excluded enough over the last few years – at least give me the pleasure of hanging around outside in the street a few times a day without being hassled about it. All you non smokers ought to try it – I have received quite a few interesting propositions whilst out there over the last few months !
Phil - BHT
14
I've looked at the views people have posted on smoking (as at 21 July) but none of them have addressed the issue that I've raised about other people's smoke actually blowing into our offices from the north wing balcony and actually making the air quite unpleasant for our workers inside the building. This is only an issue for us in summer when we have to have the windows open, but during that period it can be quite a big issue. I'd be happy for the balcony to continue to be used for smoking in the months from October to April inclusive but not during the warmer months when we have to have windows open due to the solar gain.
Chris Whitwell
Director, Friends, Families and Travellers
15
I am not a smoker but I am aware that many of the people who use CB are. Often they will be under stress when they come here and I think it is a good thing to be able to offer convenient places for them to smoke. Having to walk past a couple of people smoking by the doors is a reasonable price to pay for being accommodating to our users. And even our smoking colleagues perhaps!
BUT if this meant people smoking right outside my office window and smoke blowing in I would object strongly. So I think we do need to review where smoking is allowed to minimize impact. We have heard from FFT about their problem with smoke blowing in. Is anyone else affected in a similar way from smoking on any of the other balconies? It would help to pin point where the issues are in practice.
Ros
Amaze
16
In my view we should allow workers who wish to smoke to continue to access the Parts of the building that are outside. The alternative for smokers will be to smoke at the front of the building on the pavement. Community base is a non-smoking building, and I see no reason to extend that to outside areas.
Kate Jessop
Solicitor, BHT Immigration Legal Service
17
Smoking on the balcony outside the conference room should be OK, as long as it takes place well away from the doors. I would advise a second butt-bin at the end of the balcony opposite the door, or even move the original one there. That means people are not forced to walk past smouldering butts.
As for smoking outside the building, again it must be AWAY from the entrance doors. It is a real gauntlet that non-smokers (and ex-smokers) have to run otherwise.
Although I no longer smoke, I do dislike (and always have, even when I smoked myself) walking through the reek of smokers around building entrances.
I have copied my views to the rest of the Executive Committee (who have used Community Base for our meetings twice now) in case they have a differing view.
Regards
Jo
REGARD Transgender Liaison Officer
18
I have no strong views on this matter as most users seem to be considerate of non smokers and ensure that their smoke stays outside. I would be concerned about the possible greater risk that might arise from banning smoking on balcony and some people ignoring it and not having a safe receptacle for stubbing out ‘illegal’ cigarettes or chucking the ‘evidence’ over the rail.
Regards
Marcus Page
19
I do not think the issue has ever arisen during our use of CB. I would probably find it unpleasant, personally, if anyone did smoke on the balcony outside the conference room. There might be a smell of smoke, ash could be dropped over the edge or onto the balcony, along with butts, making life more difficult for cleaners.
But I have never had to think about it, as aforesaid, in practice.
Hope you get more positive views elsewhere!
Madeline Peasgood
Epilepsy Action, B & H branch treasurer
20
i hate walking past the smokers outside the front door... i know i'm supersensitive after my mum died, but all the same, it's quite unpleasant (some of the smokers are very polite and move out of the way, others less so!).
happy for you to feed that back.
katy
21
I am a non-smoker but I think its fair to provide convenient space for smokers. Some people are coffee addicts and we provide space for them to get their fix. Yes smoking affects others and coffee drinking doesn't but really – if its outside then its not a health risk to anyone else. Also for those organisations that provide support or telephone services, other staff have to cover for the smokers – which can already be an issue (non smokers and smokers both take lunch breaks but then smokers also disappear regularly to have cigarettes) so it would be even more unfair on the non smokers if smokers were gone for even longer.
Name withheld
22
My thoughts for what they are worth.
As a smoker trying to stop with the help of patches I would like to say that this is a no win situation. Banning smoking completely could be seen as discrimination against smokers yet allowing smoking to continue will be seen as discrimination against non-smokers.
The only solution I can come up with is ban smoking on 4th floor balcony and make the south end of 5th floor balcony a smoking area but this area needs to be clearly defined to avoid interference with activities taking place in conference room. Maybe a shelter could be provided against the elements.
I don't think banning smoking outside CB is a practical idea as many people visiting are often in crisis and cigarettes rightly or wrongly are their only prop. Anyway who would police it?
Name withheld
23
In relation to smoking. I personally am a non smoker but I have no problems whatsoever with colleagues smoking on balconies or outside the front. It does not affect me at all. I would be more put out if I could not find colleagues in the work day because they had left the building to smoke.
Gemma Challenger
Friends Families and Travellers
24
thanks for your e-mail - I regularly book the South Wing conference room & our attendees really like it - several have painful & difficult mobility issues or are in wheelchairs, & are smokers. I don't think they would attend our events if they had to get all the way downstairs to have a cigarette. I feel stopping smoking from the balcony would effectively discriminate against people with mobility issues attending the many commuity events held in this venue.
best wishes
Julie Wright
Service User Involvement Coordinator
Mind in Brighton & Hove
25
Just to let you know that I find it most unpleasant to step in/out of the building (usually South Wing access) through a pall of smoke which sometimes gets drawn into the building as the doors are opened.
Thanks,
Name withheld
26
Nothing wrong with smoking on the balconies so long as there are cigarette bins that are emptied regularly.
Raj Rayan
Immigration Advisor, BHT Immigration Legal Service
27
I understand that you are seeking views on smoking at the Community Base.
We have used your facilities for an event this year and I think that, provided the smoke is not coming into the room where we would work, there should be no problem with allowing smoking on the balcony or outside the building. I think we are generally quite tolerant of these social habits but would also like to protect those who would prefer to have clean air as well.
Cheers,
Andrew De La Haye
Trustee of Active LightWorks
28
I feel that it doesn't create a good impression if people have to wade through smokers by the reception entrance to get into the building particularly as frequently they are people with children. Also people gathering around the entrance door may feel intimidating for some people who are coming in to use different organisations services. As to whether a smoking area should be provided I'm afraid as it doesn't affect me I don't have a strong view.
Miriam
Carr-Gomm
29
I've consulted with Officers and no-one had any issues to raise. We don't smoke at meetings nor make provision for this and it hasn't been a problem for anyone as far as we know.
Christine Moody, Secretary
30
In response to your email re. this – I am a non-smoker, but I have absolutely no problem with people smoking on the balcony or outside the doors of CB and I think it would be wrong to impose a ban on it.
Thanks,
Abi
Immigration Legal Service
31
I am not a smoker anymore but don’t feel fascist towards them at all! (in fact quite like getting the odd whiff of smoke for old times sake) but I would rather people smoking on the 4th floor put their fags elsewhere than right near the windows where it blows onto me and colleagues – not nice. Also, the cigarettes are often still alight when put in the “ashtray” and sometimes it to smokes and smokes and smokes. Do know that we can hear what you say when outside but I’m not fussed if you’re not.
Have no problem with people smoking outside the building, it makes sense that reception staff need to have an eye on reception where they are outside and our clients will want to have a smoke before or after seeing us.
Lisa
FFT
32
I do not think smoking should be banned on all the balconies or outside Community Base. The tough jobs that many of us have here, combined with the fact that many of us don't take proper breaks and don't have time to go all the way to Brightelm and back up (and would not choose to take a break in an area frequented by street drinkers), outweigh to me banning smoking for the sake of political correctness. I think it would also be very frustrating for service users, esp. as so many come here for an alternative route to help and are reassured by the less formal approach than that which they receive from statutory agencies.
Perhaps if FFT have their windows open and it is making their employees' working lives so unpleasant, smokers could use the 5th floor balcony in the Summer. I would be amazed if smoke could travel all the way from the doors by the stairs to the conference room windows. It is also not possible to see smokers standing there if you are in the conference room. I agree that loud conversations should not take place on the balconies when there are open windows.
Re: smoking outside - I was not aware that any building could ban smoking on the pavement outside - I thought this was owned by the council (or the Highways Agency) not Community Base.
However I do agree that it is reasonable for the Base to request that smokers do not stand in the actual doorway - as I smoker I would not feel infringed upon by being asked to smoke in front of the reception window or the window by the North Wing lift.
I am sure that there is some middle ground here. I do hope that as so often happens with the smoking ban, a minority of people with strong anti-smoking views do not end up 'speaking' for and dictating the rights of the not bothered but passive, or vocal but unfashionable majority!
Anna Hinton
Finance Manager - SCIP
Finance Officer - The Carers Centre
33
Not anti smoking as such, enjoy it myself sometimes… but as someone who sits by a window next to the balcony, it can be unpleasant in summer when the smoke comes straight into the room.
Cheers
Zoe
FFT
34
Please find a smoking area somewhere out of public view. Otherwise they will all congregate outside the front door which is worse. Maybe the south end of the 5th floor balcony?
Rob Gentles
Chief Executive Officer
SCIP
