Smoking break ban at supermarkets

Morrisons staff will not be allowed to smoke during night-shifts

Night workers at a supermarket chain will be forced to go without a cigarette during 10-hour shifts once the smoking ban comes into force.

Staff at Morrisons stores, which bans staff leaving its premises during the night for safety reasons, will have nowhere to smoke after Sunday.

Currently there is a smoking room but this will be off limits once the Scottish Executive's ban starts.

The company said they would help their workers to quit the habit.

A Morrison spokeswoman said they would offer their staff free nicotine patches as well as other products.

She said: "Morrisons is committed to supporting colleagues who wish to give up smoking, and each store will be provided with information about the services, advice and support available.

For safety and security reasons our night staff have to remain within our premises during the hours when the store is closed. Morrisons Spokeswoman

"In addition, the company has agreed to further support those nightshift workers who wish to give up smoking by providing free cessation aids.

"For safety and security reasons our night staff have to remain within our premises during the hours when the store is closed. They must also obey the new legal requirement not to smoke inside our premises."

She added that no terms and conditions of employment were affected by the new legislation.

Day staff will be allowed to leave the stores during their breaks to smoke.