Employers concerned about their employees may be able to improve their health and help them be more productive by creating a smoke-free workplace. Many state and local governments now require workplaces to be smoke-free. Both smoking and non-smoking employees may be helped by such policies. Here we will share a model policy employers may use to help them move toward a smoke-free workplace.

Benefits of a smoke-free workplace

For the employees

• A smoke-free environment helps create a safer, healthier workplace.
• Workers who are bothered by smoke will not be exposed to it at work.
• Smokers who want to quit may have more of a reason to do so.
• Smokers may appreciate a clear company policy about smoking at work.
• Managers are relieved when a process for dealing with smoking in the workplace is clearly defined.

For the employer

• A smoke-free environment helps create a safer, healthier workplace.
• Direct health care costs to the company may be reduced.
• A clear plan that is carefully put into action by the employer to lower employees' exposure to secondhand smoke shows the company cares.
• Employees may be less likely to miss work due to smoking-related illnesses.
• Maintenance costs go down when smoke, matches, and cigarette butts are taken out of work facilities.
• Office equipment, carpets, and furniture last longer.
• The risk of fires is lower.
• It may be possible to get lower health, life, and disability insurance coverage as employee smoking goes down.

Here is a model of a policy employers can use to help maintain a smoke-free workplace for themselves and for their employees. It can be adapted as needed.

A model policy

Because we recognize the hazards caused by exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, it shall be the policy of __________ (Company Name) to provide a smoke-free environment for all employees and visitors. This policy covers the smoking of any tobacco products and the use of oral tobacco products or "spit" tobacco and applies to both employees and non-employee visitors of _____________.

Definition

1. No smoking of tobacco products will be allowed within the facilities at any time.

The decision to provide or not provide designated smoking areas outside the building will be at the discretion of management or other decision-making body.

The designated smoking area will be located at least __________ (recommended 20) feet from the main entrance.

All materials used for smoking in this area, including cigarette butts and matches, will be extinguished and disposed of in appropriate containers. Supervisors will ensure periodic cleanup of the designated smoking area. If the designated smoking area is not properly maintained (for example, if cigarette butts are found on the ground), it can be eliminated at the discretion of management or other decision-making body.

(For a policy that extends smoke free to include company property, substitute the following: No smoking of tobacco products is permitted within the facilities or on the property of ___________ at any time.)

2. No smoking in any company vehicle.

There will be no smoking in _________ vehicles at any time.

There will be no tobacco use in personal vehicles when transporting persons on ______________ authorized business.

3. Breaks

Supervisors will discuss the issue of smoking breaks with their staff. Together they will develop effective solutions that do not interfere with the productivity of the staff.

Procedure

1. Employees will be informed of this policy through signs posted in _____________ facilities and vehicles, the policy manual, and orientation and training provided by their supervisors.

2. Visitors will be informed of this policy through signs, and it will be explained by their host.

3. The _________________ will help employees who want to quit smoking by helping them access recommended smoking cessation programs and materials.

4. Any violations of this policy will be handled through the standard disciplinary procedure.

[This model policy is adapted from "Making Your Workplace Smoke-free: A Decision Maker's Guide," from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Cancer Society, and the Wellness Councils of America. The full guide is available online at: www.cdc.gov/tobacco/secondhand_smoke/guides/workplace_guide.htm.]

Additional resources

National organizations and Web sites*

In addition to the American Cancer Society, other sources of patient information and support include:

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
Office on Smoking and Health
Toll-free number: 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)
Web site: www.cdc.gov/tobacco

Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights
Telephone: 1-510-841-3032
Web site: www.no-smoke.org

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Toll-free number: 1-800-232-4636
Web site: www.cdc.gov/niosh

*Inclusion on this list does not imply endorsement by the American Cancer Society.

No matter who you are, we can help. Contact us anytime, day or night, for information and support. Call us at 1-800-ACS-2345 (1-800-227-2345) or visit www.cancer.org.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Discomfort from environmental tobacco smoke among employees at worksites with minimal smoking restrictions -- United States, 1988. MMWR. 1992;41:351-354.

Hammond SK, Sorensen G, Youngstrom R, Ockene JK. Occupational exposure to environmental tobacco smoke. JAMA.1995;274:956-960.

Siegel M, Husten C, Merritt RK, et al. Effects of separately ventilated smoking lounges on the health of smokers: Is this an appropriate public health policy? Tobacco Control. 1995;4:22-29.

US Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Making Your Workplace Smokefree: A Decision Maker's Guide. Available online at: http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/secondhand_smoke/guides/workplace_guide.htm

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Involuntary Smoking: A Report of the Surgeon General. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, Office on Smoking and Health, 1986. (DHHS Publication No. [CDC] 87-9398)

Last Medical Review: 10/24/2008
Last Revised: 10/24/2008