Developing a smoke-free policy
Below are a few helpful hints to help you start developing your own smoke-free workplace policy:
- Establish a workplace committee
- Include representatives from all parts of the organisation
- Senior management support and commitment is vital
- Involve employees (smokers and non-smokers)
- This can be done through meetings or surveys
- Helps identify staff attitudes or concerns about the workplace becoming smoke-free
- Once identified, these attitudes or concerns can then be addressed
- Formulate a written policy
- Write clear objectives and how they will be achieved
- Integrate the policy with other programs and procedures related to health and safety in the workplace
- Ensure that the policy includes:
- The purpose of the policy (i.e. to avoid the harmful effects of smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke)
- A link between the smoke-free policy and the organisational values
- Time-frame for implementation
- A clear statement of where smoking is not permitted, for example on the premises, in work vehicles, at work functions and whilst wearing work uniforms
- Person/department who will enforce the policy (e.g. Human Resources)
- Communicate the policy to employees
- Inform employees of the policy well before implementing it
- Focus on the smoke not the smoker, i.e. emphasise the benefits of a clean air policy for both smokers and non-smokers rather than emphasising the rights of non-smokers
- Inform employees of the policy well before implementing it
- Provide information and support to smokers
- This could include newsletters, flyers, posters and emails promoting the risks of smoking and the benefits of quitting
- Consider allowing employees time to access quit support services such as telephone information and counselling via Quitline (13 7848 or 13 QUIT) and Employee Assistance Programs.
- Determine consequences of non-compliance
- Ensure this is fair and consistent with sanctions for breaches of other workplace policies
- Follow a timetable for implementation
- Allow a transition stage after the policy is announced for the employees to adjust
- A good timeframe for the policy development and implementation is 4-12 months
- Provide training
- Provide training to health and safety and other key personnel on implementing the policy and providing support
- Develop a referral system for services outside the workplace
- Evaluate and monitor implementation
- Review the policy to access whether it is achieving its objectives
- A review is recommended every 12-18 months
For more information on how to develop a smoke-free policy for your workplace
If you have any queries about implementing a smoke-free policy at your workplace, please contact the Make Smoking History team via email at MakeSmokingHistory@cancerwa.asn.au.