What You Need To Know To Establish A Legal And Sound Smoking Policy

With the release of the White Paper on Public Health

, smoke-free legislation is going to come into effect for all enclosed places of work during 2007. It thus makes good sense to have a written smoking policy in place so that companies are ready for these changes and will also suit employees. The smoking policy should be aimed at making sure of the workplace being a place where employees can work in clean air and not have to be secondary smokers. The smoking policy should detail places that can be used for smoking as well timings when smoking is permitted and this should take into consideration the needs of all concerned. A smoking policy is essential because of the harm that second hand smoking can have on a person's health which may lead to heart diseases, lung cancer as well as emphysema, asthma, stinging eyes as well as clothes that smell of cigarette smoke.

Non-smokers have a right to work in clean environment where the air is clean and these rights should take precedence over the rights of smokers. According to Health and Safety law, employees must be protected from the health hazards by their employers, wherever practically possible, especially as there is data to support the dangers to the health of those that are victims of secondhand smoking. An employee would be well within his or her rights to demand compensation from the employers if it is proved that the employee is a victim of secondhand smoking.

Smoking policies should be able to enforce a better as well as healthier working force as well as spruce up the image of the company and give it a more professional touch. In addition, the smoking policy would be able to reduce absenteeism and may also prove to be an effective means of getting smokers to quit smoking. It can be assumed that most smokers do feel the need to give up smoking and a smoking policy would be conducive to enable them to give up smoking.

The smoking policy should set out the principles to which the company would like to adhere to including protecting everyone from the ill effects of secondhand smoking and promoting a healthier workforce. It may show that secondhand smoking can lead to a 24% increase in the risk of being afflicted by lung cancer in non-smokers and a similar amount of risk of contracting a heart disease and may also trigger asthma as well as a host of other illnesses. The policy should explain that is being written keeping the best interests of all in mind and that smoking is prohibited in any part of the premises or ground that includes the offices, corridors, toilets as well as car parks. It may also prohibit smoking in all parts of the company premises and grounds with the exception of restricted areas. It may also request smokers not to smoke immediately outside a work base and this is relevant to visitors, staff as well as contractors.

The smoking policy may also not allow persons to smoke at meetings or other events at venues where smoking is not permitted and smoking on duty would only be allowed during breaks that are the same for smokers as well as non-smokers. Before drafting the final smoking policy, the company may need to take into account the views of all concerned and consultation may be required in case of differences of opinion arising. The smoking policy should be circulated to all staff and given to new employees as well as be included in Health and Safety Policy and also be a part of the Human Resources policy. It shall also be enforced in the unlikely event of a breach and the matter may be resolved informally at first and later with more stringent actions.

The smoking policy document is readily available in the market and finding one should not pose any problem as there are many vendors who specialize in such documents and for a few dollars one may obtain completely researched and well formed smoking policy document. There is no need for researching and creating one from scratch as buying these documents provides an avenue for obtaining comprehensively created solutions that have had experts draft them and they are suited for all manner of use. Spending a few dollars, one could reap great benefits as there is plenty to be saved in terms of time, money and cost as well as being tailored to suit individual requirements.

by: Wade Anderson

POST COMMENT

Why Quitting Smoking Is Logical Stop Smoking Today Women And The Cigarette Smoking Habit If You Intend To Stop Smoking You Will Have The Fight Of Your Life Smoking Bans In Bars And Restaurants Have Smokers Vaping Instead Want a Stop Smoking Tip? Here are the Most Essential Ones How to quit smoking and still smoke All You Need to Know about Stop Smoking Patches Smoking and its harmful effects Quit Smoking: Helping You Kick the Deadly Habit Quit Cannabis - The Easy and Enjoyable Way How to Use Stop Smoking Products to Help Quit Smoking Quit Smoking