Nursery World - Positive Relationships: Let's talk about ... smoking

The risks to young children from cigarette smoke are well documented, but how should nurseries treat the smokers on the staff? Melanie Defries hears their views.

Q: Do a lot of staff at your setting smoke?

'Some smoke - I recently spotted one member of staff smoking near the setting wearing her nursery tabard, which didn't go down too well! I think you are stuck between a rock and a hard place with staff smoking - they have a right to certain freedoms, and smoking is one of them.'

'We are very lucky at our nursery because none of the staff smoke, so it is not really an issue. We are a very healthy team!'

'None of my staff smoke, although this has not always been the way. Members of staff have left my setting because I refused to allow "fag breaks".'

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