The total ban on smoking inside a building could bring increased risk of fire caused by smokers gathering outside, says Norwich Union
The smoking ban – coming in to force in England on July 1 – while protecting health may bring a new risk of fire if not properly managed, said Norwich Union.
The insurance company suggests a number of potential problems arising from the blanket ban on smoking inside business premises.
Allister Smith, Norwich Union’s property risk manager, said: “Being smoke-free is obviously good news for people’s health and well-being, but a total ban on smoking inside a building can bring a new risk of fire caused by smokers gathering outside, or can even lead to surreptitious smoking taking place inside buildings, and this needs to be properly managed on an ongoing basis.
“Where smokers are relocated to areas outside premises, the risk of fire goes with them, caused by cigarettes being discarded either in bins or on the floor where there may be combustible materials.”
Smith added: “Businesses need to provide a safe area for people to smoke that also minimises the risk of fire.
“Therefore, smoking shouldn’t happen near storage areas for waste or close to combustible materials. If the smoking area has a bin for cigarette butts, that also needs emptying on a regular basis.”
