Smoking and Smoking Officers

Health and Safety; risk assessments. Two phrases that will no doubt get your blood boiling, but it seems these phrases have come to the aid of smokers in Swindon.

Great Western Hospital in common will the majority of hospitals operates a non-smoking policy on its grounds. If you want a crafty cigarette, you have to venture outside onto a busy road, risking life and limb from what I can gather. The site management company has said enough is enough and has decided to re-erect two smoking shelters so staff can smoke in safety; monitored by cameras, of course, all in the name of safety. Good news; yes, but there is a sting in the tail.

The hospital employs two smoking officers whose job is to make sure no-one smokes where they shouldn't. This has to be one of the Taxpayers' Alliance non-jobs of the week. Next time you are told your operation is cancelled or there isn't enough money for this and that, remember your taxes are spent employing people to wander around hospitals and their grounds snooping to see if they can catch anyone smoking. If you wonder how Labour has managed to increase the number of people employed in the public sector by 800,000, this story begins to explain how many non-jobs there are and why this country's finances are up the creek without a paddle.

A small victory for those who work in the hospital and are not frightened of the health fascists, although there should be a closed smoking room inside the hospital so they don't have to face the elements. As for the smoking officers, I think they should find alternative employment.

Link: Swindon Advertiser

Hat Tip: Carl Minns