The "No-Smoking" Shelter

In unexpected (for most workers) fall-out from the recent smoking ban, smoking shelters provided by companies specifically for the use of their smoking employees fall within the definition of an enclosed or substantially enclosed place. You'd have thought purpose-built smoking shelters ought to be excluded from this.

The smokefree guidelines do state that smoking shelters mustn't be substantially enclosed, but this is crackers. Shelters built specifically for the purpose of smoking, used only by smokers who choose to inhale smoke mustn't be substantially enclosed?

As a result, the sides are being removed from smoking shelters, leaving only a roof and a windbreak! Smokers might as well huddle under trees, except that smoking is now banned everywhere on site (and outside the gates) and is only allowed in the shelters (which no longer provide much shelter).

From my desk I've been watching the modification of the company's smoking shelter so it is no longer "enclosed".

Next they'll be restricting the use and possession of dihydrogen monoxide on the grounds it can kill.