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"The Federal Department of Health has introduced a new policy to ban smoking breaks for staff, and offer carrots to help with quitting the addiction. The ban, which will be effective from Monday, has won support from anti-smoking experts. ASH Australia chief executive Anne Jones yesterday said the average smoker loses almost one hour of productivity daily. "The burden of lost productivity is huge and businesses should at least take it into account," Ms Jones added.

Sorry Ms Jones I am not necessarily convinced. With most of these specific workers using computers, the idea of taking a break from the strain of staring at a screen is imperative for an office workers. Both non-smokers & smokers alike do need the "smoko" or at least a "breather".

Where is the CARROT that the Health Department is actively pushing? We are offering a chance for employers to sponsor their staff to quit at the Docklands this year during the Quitmay challenge or during our Autumn event the Quitober Challenge.

I hope the employers take up this opportunity especially if they are going to ban the smoko.