FIREFIGHTERS warn us to ‘put it out’ due to the devastating effects of carelessly discarded cigarettes – and now they could be told the same thing.
A recommendation has been put forward to ban fire officers and personnel from smoking on and off all Authority-owned premises during working hours.
If approved at a meeting of the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service today, an outright smoking ban could be introduced next year.
A spokesman for the fire service said: “Smoking is already banned in the stations, but we do have places where existing smokers and members of staff can go to smoke.
“We still have a huge number of fires caused by smoking materials, so this is about practising what we preach.
“It is no means certain that it will go through.”
If the plan is approved by the Authority, the smoking ban will be implemented from July 1, 2008 to give existing smokers time to get used to the rule. Smokers will be given advice and support to help quit.
A report says: “It is the intention to make all Authority owned-managed premises and grounds smoke free and to prohibit all employees from smoking while at work.
