Vale Douzaine declares no smoking zone at Maraitaine Road premises

The decision has been taken by the Constables following repeated complaints about cigarette butts being discarded outside the building and to try to improve the environment there for non-smokers.

"The last straw for me was was when one smoker managed to set fire to a flower planter by the main door of the Douzaine Room," said Senior Constable John Niles.

"I accept they were trying not to litter but it goes to show the risk posed by smoking around busy areas and we took the opportunity to review our approach to on-site smoking and health and safety generally."

He said the Constables had regularly been receiving complaints from caretaking staff, who on one occasion after an event had been held in the main hall had to pick up nearly 30 cigarette butts.

Proud
"Our staff work hard enough to maintain the place and keep it a venue that the Vale can be proud of and I really don't want to be asking them to pick up material that has been in other people's mouths so I hope parishioners will agree with us that this is a sensible and proportionate decision," he said. 

The ban applies to the car park and the field and former quarry to the rear of the Maraitaine Road offices and rooms.

The announcement means the Vale Douzaine has joined establishments like the States of Guernsey, which have made public areas including Les Nicolles Prison, education facilities, health and social care sites, and Sir Charles Frossard House smoke-free zones.

• Smoking is prohibited in all enclosed public places, workplaces, and public transport across Guernsey to protect against second-hand smoke. This ban has been in place since July 2006, covering areas such as restaurants, bars, cafés, hotels, shops, and offices.