WITH the ban on smoking in enclosed public places now only days away, organisations in the area are claiming it will have little impact on their business.

Managers were asked to respond to a quick-reaction survey, with the majority adopting a "business as usual" attitude and suggesting the new legislation would lead to minimal changes in workplace behaviour.

The research, conducted by the Chartered Management Institute, revealed just three per cent of managers in the South West believed the law would create "significant" disruption, while 95 per cent argued it would have little or no impact.

Respondents also suggested the cost of implementing the ban would be minimal. For organisations with up to 25 employees, the estimated cost is in the region of £30 per head. Employers with 5,000 to 10,000 staff anticipate paying about £4 per person.

One in three in the region also claimed the ban would have no effect on smokers' behaviour - 41 per cent said it would not reduce the number of "smoking breaks" taken - and just 10 per cent thought there would be a negative impact on out-of-hours socialising with colleagues.

Managers also gave a clear indication their choice of staff would not be influenced by smoking habits, with only five per cent claiming they would ask whether candidates smoked.

Jo Causon, Chartered Management Institute's director of marketing and corporate affairs, said: "Despite the considerable attention devoted to the ban on smoking, it appears that many organisations think July 1 will pass with limited significance.

"Most respondent suggest their employer is already prepared and benefiting from self-imposed restrictions."

The findings showed 77 per cent of organisations in the area currently had a formal smoking policy. Just six per cent intended to introduce guidelines as a result of the ban and only 13 per cent said they would inform employees of the law's requirements through formal training.

Ms Causon added: "Despite this apparently relaxed approach to the legislation, the research indicates that UK employers welcome the changes in the law.

"Most managers recognise the value a smoking ban will bring, focusing on the impact on performance."

Asked about the long-term benefits the introduction of a smoking ban would have, 43 per cent of respondents suggested it would reduce sickness absence and almost half also believed it would actually lead to an increase in productivity levels.