The ban quite rightly imposed on smoking in most workplaces saved the lungs of non-smokers from being contaminated by the fumes produced by colleagues but led to another injustice: that of the smoking break. Many of those who don't smoke are understandably resentful that those who do are given paid time away from the desk or workshop to indulge their habit while they work on.

Now Kirklees Council is tackling that anomaly partly in the interests of fairness but largely in the hope of encouraging employees who are still addicted to nicotine to try hard to give up.

Local Unison branch secretary Paul Holmes is right when he says that smoking is an addiction, a medical condition. However, that is not good grounds for opposing the ban the authority intends to impose by closing smoke rooms and refusing to allow employees to light up outside entrances or in courtyards under its ownership.

The authority's efforts to protect the health of its employees are commendable, although the intention to ask people not to smoke in their own homes if they are being visited by council staff is likely to meet with some opposition. Hopefully more employees will take advantage of the council's offer of time off to attend quit-smoking schemes and of cash towards the cost of nicotine therapy.

The council is showing the way and urging the companies which run its former housing stock and its sports facilities to follow its lead as well as planning to ban smoking in all bars and restaurants it runs from next year.

It is setting an example that Bradford council would do well to follow.