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Example of a Smoke Free Policy

Smoking Policy

Effective From: 1st September 2006

Introduction

(the Company) aims to ensure the health, safety and welfare of its employees and visitors to its sites and to raise environmental standards.

The purpose of this Policy is to ensure that all employees and visitors to the Company’s sites are aware of the Company’s position on smoking.


Principles

Smoking is damaging to health and harmful to the environment. The Company aims to provide a smoke-free environment for employees and visitors.

The Company as an employer has a duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all of its staff under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. It has a duty to do all that is reasonably practicable to provide and maintain a working environment that is safe, without risk to health and is adequate as regards facilities and arrangements for their welfare at work. It also has a duty to control the risks to people not in its employment which arise from the operation of its business. The Company shall protect non-smokers from the risks to health of passive smoking and protect all users of Company premises and property from increased risk of fire. Reducing the number of potential sources of ignition can only assist in achieving this goal particularly considering the nature of the Company’s business.

As of summer 2007 smoking is prohibited in all enclosed workplaces in England. Regulations will be compiled nearer the time. As announced recently, the company will be no-smoking site as of 1st September 2006.


Objectives

This policy has been developed with the following objectives in mind:-

  • to protect all employees and visitors from exposure to second-hand smoke;
  • to assist compliance with the pending smoking regulations for England.
  • to reduce the risk of fire within Company premises, particularly bearing in mind the nature of the Company’s business and the potential fire hazard which this poses; and
  • to reflect a renewed emphasis of fire risk assessment in respect of potential harm caused by fire in the workplace which is expected following the introduction of new fire safety regulations in April 2006.


Scope

This Policy applies to all employees and visitors to the Company’s site, including clients, temporary staff, customers and contractors.
Employees will not be permitted to smoke whilst carrying out their duties off site.


Restrictions on Smoking

Smoking is prohibited in all areas of the Company’s sites and for the avoidance of doubt includes such areas as:-

  • within the building
  • social club
  • all carparks
  • in private and Company cars that are on the Company’s sites; and Company cars off site.

We will arrange clear signs at all main entrances to ensure that everyone entering understands that smoking is not allowed inside the buildings or site.


Responsibility

All staff have a responsibility to bring the policy to the attention of persons who may persist in smoking and to report any breaches directly to their line manager.

Furthermore it is the responsibility of all employees to inform anyone who they invite onto the site of the company’s policy on smoking.


Recruitment

A statement shall be included in all recruitment advertising that the Company has a smoke-free environment. All new employees will be expected to comply with this Policy.

A clause concerning the Smoking Policy shall be included in the letter of appointment for every new employee.

A copy of the Smoking Policy shall be given to all new employees on appointment.


Breaches

A breach of this Policy is a disciplinary offence and may amount to gross misconduct in terms of the Company’s Disciplinary Policy and Procedure which could render the employee liable to summary dismissal. Any breaches of this Policy will be dealt with in accordance with the Company’s Disciplinary Policy and Procedure.


Support

It is recognised that the smoking policy will impact on smokers working lives. In an effort to help individuals adjust to this change the following help is being provided:

  • Stop Smoking Support provided by Eastern Cheshire PCT and Occupational Health.
  • Up to 4 hours in total off work to attend the session for those who want to quit.


Further Information

You can find out more about smoking and obtain support if you are trying to give up from:-

  • Your local GP surgery.
  • Giving Up Smoking 0800 169 0169. This is a freephone counselling service provided to give help and advice to smokers who are trying to give up.