SMOKERS who work for Test Valley Borough Council have been told they should go for a walk in the park if they need their nicotine fix during working hours.
A new smoking policy to be introduced on 1 August will mean that smoking will be banned in all council buildings but permitted in Beech Hurst Park.
Smoking had been allowed in specially designated smoking areas but there are now fears about smoke drifting into other rooms and the pressure placed on accommodation by the old policy - adopted in 1999.
"The introduction of the policy will be supported by smoking cessation classes and smoking breaks will only be permitted if the equivalent time is made up," said the council's head of personnel Margaret Smith in her report to councillors.
Blue-collar union Unison has objected to the proposed policy because it claims there are no smoking shelters for staff at Beech Hurst.
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