Ways to get a Smoke Free Environment

Smoking could be problematic for some companies and their employees. Smoking can ruin the health of workers and cause an increase with health-care costs. Making an establishment smoke-free consists of segregating and ventilating specific areas of a building or completely eliminating the practice of smoking from the workplace. Businesses that are completely smoke-free won't allow smoking within the establishment or inside company vehicles. Businesses can use research, employee commitment, policies, programs and benefits to help reduce or remove smoking from their establishments.

Research the Issue

• Employers and business owners that decide to make their establishments smoke-free should begin by researching and reviewing data about the health and economic consequences of smoking. Examine the legal aspects and survey employees to see how they feel about this issue. Employers and owners can also review successful smoke-free policies that have been implemented within other companies. This might help to determine what rules and programs to set up that would work best for their situation.

Commitment

• Employees within a business or organization must have the desire to implement this practice within their environment. Employers are encouraged to utilize the aid of onsite (if they are available) physicians or nurses to help in their efforts. Supervisors and managers are encouraged to make the initial commitment to a smoke-free environment before gaining employee acceptance. Employers should explain their reasons for desiring a smoke-free environment clearly to their employees.

Implement Policy

• Employers ought to develop their policies in writing and make sure they don't infringe on workers' rights. Employers can have a representative to work with an employee committee group in order to develop the policy. Policies that are being implemented should not violate any type of employee privilege or union contract. Attorneys are probably best suited for this type of work. Once rules are agreed upon they can be formalized and implemented within the workplace.

Education, Programs and Benefits

• Programs may possibly be established that will help employees and managers to keep their commitment with maintaining a smoke-free environment. Employers can think about assigning a staff person to oversee the smoking policy to make sure the implementation of this program is understood and accepted by workers and staff. Programs and educational classes about the effects of quitting smoking might be offered to employees. Owners and employers could also implement other incentives and rewards for employees who commit to keeping the working environment smoke-free.