September 13, 2004—In a survey commissioned by the BBC, two-thirds of those questioned were in favour of such a ban. Business information provider Croner [KATRINE: LIVE LINK TO: www.croner.co.uk] found almost the same result when it polled senior health & safety executives at UK businesses. In that survey, 68% said they thought a ban would be a fair way of achieving a smoke-free workplace, although half of those agree it would be difficult to implement.
Trevor Davies, senior health and safety consultant at Croner, commented: “While most organisations have a clear policy about prohibiting smoking in hazardous conditions, fewer are clear on how to meet the needs of both non-smokers and smokers who share the same workspace. Smokers are not entitled to a smoking area, but non-smokers are entitled to an environment free from tobacco pollution.
He added: “A policy should be drafted which clearly states if employees are permitted to smoke and where. Employees must be consulted before drafting a policy – simply banning smoking could constitute constructive dismissal for some smokers.”
Croner offers the following advice on drafting a smoking policy:
- Current workplace practice with regard to smoking should be reviewed
Using this information, a risk assessment should be carried out to identify if smoking is a health problem.
- The risk assessment will determine the appropriate route: a complete ban, a designated smoking room, segregated smoking area, or perhaps restricting smoking to private offices
- Employees should be consulted before drafting, implementing or changing the policy
- The policy should state where and when employees are allowed to smoke and the consequences of failing to comply
- The policy should be monitored and reviewed if necessary.
The government is currently considering whether smoking should be restricted in workplaces, and a decision is expected to be published in a Public Health White Paper, due in the autumn.
Reprinted with permission; copyright 2004 i-FM
