Tobacco firm bans smoking in offices

The manufacturer of one of the world’s most famous tobacco brands, Camel, is banning its employees from smoking on large parts of its premises.

Reynolds American said it will ban traditional cigarettes, cigars, and pipes in employee desks, offices, conference rooms, hallways, and elevators — because it wants to “align its policies with the realities of what you are seeing in society today”.

Lighting up is already prohibited on factory floors and in cafeterias and fitness centres. Reynolds said it would introduce the policy when it builds indoor smoking areas for those who still want to light up.

“Updating our tobacco use policies will better accommodate both non-smokers and smokers who work in and visit our facilities,” said spokesman David Howard.

Reynolds will still allow the use of smokeless tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes.

In Ireland, the Government is under pressure to abandon its plans for plain tobacco packaging.

Earlier this month, a formal complaint was lodged in Brussels by the US Chamber of Commerce claiming the move would have a “significant” impact on Ireland’s economy. Ireland had already come under pressure from German MEPs and business groups to abandon plans to be the first EU member to introduce uniform packaging.