Workplaces and Worksites
Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable deaths among both users and non-users. The use of tobacco products at workplaces and worksites pose a significant health risk to employees. Although the terms "workplace" and "worksite" are often used interchangeably, they have distinct meanings. A workplace refers to any location where an individual performs their job duties, encompassing various environments such as offices, factories, or schools. In contrast, a worksite typically refers to a specific physical location where a job or task is performed, often for a temporary period, and is more common in industries like construction, manufacturing, and fieldwork. Defining worksite and workplace is crucial for establishing effective smoke-free environments, as it ensures comprehensive policies that protect employee health and promote a clean, safe atmosphere for all.
Secondhand smoke is a mixture of smoke exhaled by smokers and smoke emitted from the burning end of combustible tobacco products. Similarly, secondhand aerosol from electronic smoking devices, which can be mistaken for harmless water vapor, contain substances harmful to the public's health. The aerosol produced by e-cigarettes can include nicotine, ultrafine particles, flavorings, volatile organic compounds, and heavy metals—each of which poses potential health risks. There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke or aerosol.
Employers are encouraged to adopt comprehensive tobacco-free policies across workplaces and worksites to promote and protect the health of employees in their organization. Such policies support quitting and eliminate exposure to harmful secondhand smoke and aerosol.
Reasons for Tobacco-Free Workplaces and Worksites
- Eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke.
- Reduce the cost associated with cleaning and maintenance of the property.
- Reduce costs associated with smoke damage.
- Increase productivity in the employees by reducing time off due to tobacco-related or tobacco worsening illnesses.
- Reduce the healthcare cost that is associated with tobacco related illnesses and diseases.
- Improve the quality of life and health of the employees.
- Increase revenue for businesses.
Action Steps to Implementing and Enforcing a Tobacco-Free Policy
- Organizations are encouraged to develop a workgroup or task force to oversee the tobacco-free policy implementation and enforcement plan.
- Provide resources to educate the task force, employees, visitors and vendors.
- Survey the employees to assess their level of knowledge and attitude towards tobacco-free policy.
- Create a communication plan.
- Develop a tobacco-free policy that is concise, clear, simple and comprehensive.
- Develop an enforcement plan that is consistent with other personnel policies and disciplinary procedures.
- Announce the policy several months prior to the implementation date.
- Finally, organizations are encouraged to provide cessation services for the employees and patients to promote quitting among them.
Additional Resources
Model Policy for A Smokefree Workplace
Tobacco Use in the Workplace: A Model Policy
Quitting is your best option to reduce your risk from smoking and tobacco use-related diseases. Vaping is not a healthy alternative to smoking. E-cigarettes and vape products are not FDA-approved cessation devices. For more information and support to help you quit contact the Georgia Tobacco Quit Line.
Click HERE for more information about quitting.
Last Reviewed 10/10/2024