NO SMOKING POLICY POLICY STATEMENT

Transcription

1 NO SMOKING POLICY POLICY STATEMENT Smoking is the single most preventable cause of premature death in Wales. The Welsh Health Survey 2008 reported that cigarette smoking is responsible for 5,600 deaths per year. This equates to 1 smoking related death every 2 minutes in Wales. Furthermore, there is an increased risk to non-smokers of lung cancer from exposure to second hand smoke of 24% and to ischaemic heart disease of 25%, among others 1. As a result, provisions made under the Health Act 2006, legally require all enclosed and substantially enclosed workplaces and public places to be smoke free. The attached policy has been adopted by Tenovus to take all possible steps to raise awareness of the impact that smoking can have on an individual s health, to encourage smokers to seek support to give up smoking and to protect employees and visitors from second hand smoke exposure. OBJECTIVES Smoke-free workplaces not only protect non-smokers from the dangers of passive smoking, they also encourage smokers to give up. Tenvous will therefore: 1. Protect staff, volunteers and any visitors to Tenovus sites against passive smoking by providing a smoke-free environment. 2. Provide advice and support to staff and volunteer smokers who want to stop. SCOPE The policy applies to all employees whether employed directly by Tenovus, through an agency, by a contractor or other organisation, those volunteering, visitors, service users and donors. 1 SCOTH - Government's Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health (2004)

2 RESPONSIBILITIES Organisational 1. Health Awareness: Tenovus will promote the improvement of the health of its staff and volunteers by providing information on the health risks of smoking and access to advise on cessation. 2. Recruitment: All job applicants will be made aware of the policy via application packs, where a requirement to abide by it will be part of the person specification. Applicants will be reminded of the policy at interview stage. 3. Induction & Training: A copy of the policy will form part of the induction process for both staff and volunteers. Training and guidance on enforcing the policy will form part of the induction process for managers. 4. Organisational Literature: Statements on the No Smoking Policy will, where appropriate, be included in Tenovus publicity materials, invitations to events, instructions to external bodies using our premises e.t.c. 5. Premises & Vehicles: No smoking notices will be prominently displayed throughout the organisation and in vehicles used for Tenovus purposes. Managers 1. Managers will be responsible for the promotion and maintenance of the policy by their staff. 2. Managers will receive training and guidance regarding their responsibilities in relation to the policy and enforcement of it. 3. Managers should refer staff wishing to stop smoking or to reduce their smoking habit to HR for guidance on appropriate bodies to assist them. 4. If a member of staff is found breaching the Policy, instant dismissal will follow. 5. Contractors, sub-contractors, agency or staff employed by any other organisation are not permitted to smoke on Tenovus premises or in Tenovus vehicles. Managers should advise these individuals of their responsibilities under the No Smoking Policy and ensure that these are not breached. Staff and Volunteers 1. Staff and Volunteers should inform the appropriate manager of anyone who fails to comply with the policy.

3 2. All staff and volunteers have a responsibility to ensure that the No Smoking Policy is implemented and enforced consistently throughout the organisation. 3. If visitors are found smoking on Tenovus premises or vehicles, you should politely request that they stop. If visitors persist in smoking, support should be sought from a more senior member of staff. If, despite the intervention of a more senior member of staff, visitors continue to smoke and become abusive, a member of security staff should be summoned. Visitors and Others Visitors and others have a responsibility to comply with the No Smoking Policy of Tenovus and any request to stop smoking. MONITORING & REVIEW The policy will be reviewed by the Senior Management Team six months after the date of implementation and then on an annual basis.

4 NO SMOKING POLICY GUIDANCE ON IMPLEMENTATION SMOKE FREE PREMISES The following areas are considered to be included within our definition of Tenovus premises. This list is, however, by no means exhaustive: Shops Offices, Reception Areas Lifts, corridors, stairways Rest rooms, Meeting Rooms Toilets Entrances including Doorways Pavement areas immediately in front of or surrounding any of the Charity s premises Car Parks, backyards or balconys SIGNAGE Tenovus must make sure that no-smoking signs are displayed in prominent positions at or near the entrance to all premises affected by the policy. A no-smoking sign must: a. Be flat and rectangular and at least 160 mm x 230 mm b. Contain a graphic representation of a burning cigarette enclosed in a red circle at least 85 mm in diameter with a red bar across the circle which crosses the cigarette symbol c. Contain the words: Mae ysmygu yn y fangre hon yn erbyn y gyfraith It is against the law to smoke in these premises VEHICLES The relevant person in relation to a vehicle which is smoke-free (i.e. the driver) must make sure that no-smoking signs are displayed on the vehicle.

5 A no-smoking sign must: a. Contain a graphic representation of a burning cigarette enclosed in a red circle at least 75 mm in diameter with a red bar across the circle which crosses the cigarette symbol. b. Be displayed in a prominent position in each compartment of the vehicle, which is wholly or partly covered by a roof, including a driver s compartment. SMOKING BREAKS Tenovus does not permit smoking breaks during the working day for either staff or volunteers. Should you wish to smoke during your designated lunch break you must: 1. Not smoke in your car if parked in a Tenovus car park or in the vicinity of any Tenovus premises. 2. Ensure you are far enough removed from the Tenovus premises and have removed anything referencing Tenovus as your employer. These provisions do not apply when promoting Tenovus at any events (please see below). PUBLIC EVENTS HELD TO PROMOTE THE CHARITY Smoking is not permitted by you or any volunteers whilst representing Tenovus at any public event, whether these are based indoors, outdoors, during the working week or outside of working hours (inclusive of lunch breaks). THIRD PARTY PREMISES Those visiting other premises that are not covered by smoke free legislation as part of their duties for Tenovus, should advise the third party when arranging a visit, of Tenovus' smoking policy. Although we have a duty of care to protect our staff and volunteers, we cannot control the smoking policy on these premises. Staff and Volunteers should agree that the third party arrange for a nonsmoking area to be provided for the duration of the visit. Where this is not possible, employees should ask the third party to refrain from smoking inside the premises or in the meeting area for one hour before the visit and that they do not smoke during the duration of the visit. In circumstances where it is not possible to arrange a visit beforehand, employees should seek advice from their line manager, who should take all reasonable steps to protect them from exposure to second hand smoke.

6 ENFORCEMENT OF THE POLICY Staff and Volunteers: Non compliance of the Tenovus No Smoking Policy will be deemed as gross misconduct and will be managed in line with the Tenovus Disciplinary policy. In the first three months of the re-implementation of the policy, managers will issue a written warning to non-compliant staff who are in breach of this policy, and inform them that failure to comply with this policy will be considered gross misconduct and dealt with under the appropriate section of the Tenovus Disciplinary policy. Visitors and Others: Visitors not adhering to the policy will be asked to comply or leave the premises. SUPPORT FOR STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS WHO SMOKE Tenovus recognises that smoking is an addiction and that the smoking policy will impact on smokers' working lives. We wish to support staff and volunteers who want to stop and help individuals adjust to this change. We will therefore give each member of staff who smokes, and wishes to stop, paid time off to seek professional help from the local NHS Stop Smoking Service, their GP or other recognised method of smoking cessation. Evidence of attendance will be required. NHS Support Smokers are up to four times more likely to quit successfully with NHS support than using willpower alone. So it makes sense to refer smokers to their local NHS Stop Smoking Service. It gives them access to free one to one and group support sessions run by trained stop smoking advisers. They give advice on going smoke-free. This includes helpful tips on dealing with cravings, stop smoking medication and how to stay motivated. NHS Stop Smoking Helpline (England): NHS Stop Smoking Helpline (Wales):

7 Stop Smoking Wales Free local service providing cessation support and counselling. Weekly sessions are held across Wales in local venues on weekday mornings, afternoons and evenings. Helpline: (7am and 8pm, 7 days a week, including bank holidays but excluding Christmas Day.) Website: Quit Offer a helpline with information and advice to help you give up smoking. Helpline: (9am and 9pm) stopsmoking@quit.org.uk