Doctors group finds smoking ban would boost productivity

Workers taking cigarette breaks are contributing to major losses in the UK economy, according to the Royal College of Physicians.

In a study, the Royal College said savings of up to £4bn would come from increased productivity, as workers take fewer cigarette breaks,  lower NHS costs, reduced insurance premiums, cleaning and fire-related bills.

The government plans to ban smoking in all public enclosed places, except pubs and bars that do not serve food, following a consultation exercise.

The report said: “There is an unanswerable moral case to protect all people from passive smoking at work. All employees have a right to work in a safe environment, and all employers have a duty to ensure that they do.”

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The Royal College of Physicians estimates that of the 12,000 deaths caused each year by passive smoking, 500 can be attributed to smoking at work.