Non-Smoking Policy

The Business is a non-smoking environment.

Purpose

The Business has a duty of care at common law and under work health and safety laws to protect workers from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke in the workplace.

The Business recognises the harmful health effects of tobacco smoke. Smoking and passive smoking can cause many diseases including lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, bronchitis, pneumonia, emphysema and asthma. Research has found that smoking is also responsible for reduced workplace productivity and increased absenteeism.

To help combat the damaging effects of tobacco smoke and to protect our workers, The Business is a totally smoke free workplace. We believe that non-smokers should not have to be exposed to the hazards of tobacco smoke. Our smoke free policy protects the health of all our staff.

Policy details

Smoking is prohibited in the workplace effective from 29th May 2021. The ‘workplace’ includes, but is not limited tolocations such as:

• Workshops

• Fire escapes

• Clients’ Premises

• Reception rooms/areas, including desks/counters

• The Business Vehicles

• Waiting rooms/areas

• Canteens/crib rooms

• Toilets

The smoke free policy applies to all The Business managers, workers, contractors, clients and visitors while on our premises.

Smoking should be limited to designated meal breaks and rest pauses.

The Business management and workers should refrain from smoking when they are acting in an official capacity off-site or attending work-related functions and events on behalf of the business.

Implementation

To support the smoke free policy and to minimise non-compliance The Business will:

• Provide information regarding the health effects of smoking and the importance of being smoke free;

• Provide a copy of the smoke free policy to all existing workers and to new workers upon commencement with the organisation;

• Allow a phasing in period of one to two months to make it easier for workers needing to amend their smoking behaviours;

• Display adequate smoke free signage;

• Provide quit smoking courses for workers who wish to quit;

• Subsidise the cost of Nicotine Replacement Therapy for workers who wish to quit smoking;

• Provide information to assist smokers who wish to quit through the promotion of Quit line services, 13 QUIT (13 7848), and the provision of quitting tips;

• Advise visitors of the smoke free policy; and

• Add a smoke free clause to contracts and inform contractors of the organisation’s smoke free policy.

Non-compliance strategy

The smoke-free policy is to be regarded as an element of workplace health and safety management system. Responses to policy breaches will include:

• Asking the individual to extinguish the cigarette immediately;

• Explaining details of the policy to the offending individual;

• The provision of individual education by personnel management regarding the reasons for the implementation of the smoke free policy;

• Making every possible effort to assist workers understand and adhere to the policy; and

• While the primary approach to smokers who cannot comply will be based on consultation, positive assistance and problem-solving, if these approaches are not effective, disciplinary proceedings may result.

Supervisors have the responsibility to provide positive assistance in the first assistance.

In the case of visitors not complying, officers should politely bring the smoke-free workplace policy to the attention of the person concerned. Should any further action be needed, the officer should refer to the supervisor concerned.