1. Why should all workplaces become smoke-free?
Recent evidence suggests that at least 1,000 people die from passive smoking each year in the UK, yet some three million people continue to have their health put at risk because of the lack of government policies regarding smoke-free workplaces.
The provision of clean air is a logical extension of any concern to improve working conditions.
2. Is passive smoking as harmful as the experts say?
There is unquestionable evidence that second-hand smoke inhaled through passive smoking is a killer. Second-hand smoke is a potent cocktail of over 4000 chemicals, at least 50 of which are known carcinogens. Passive smoking causes heart disease, lung cancer, nasal cancer and strokes. It also intensifies asthma, cystic fibrosis and respiratory disease.
3. Is there an ‘acceptable’ level of passive smoking at work?
No. Expert advice from the World Health Organisation states that there is no safe level of exposure to the carcinogens and toxic chemicals that second-hand smoke contains.
4. Would ventilation, or a designated smoking room, be as effective as a smoke-free policy?
Definitely not. The tobacco industry claims that ventilation removes second-hand smoke from the air; however all it does is improve the subjective quality of the air and dilutes, rather than removes, the pollutants. Ventilation removes the smell of smoke but not the dangers.
By designating a smoking room, pollution levels may be slightly reduced, but smoke drifts from room to room, and so the staff will have no choice but to continue to breathe second-hand smoke.
5. Would a smoke-free policy be expensive to establish?
Demonstrated that developing and implementing a smoke-free policy does not need to be expensive or time consuming. In fact, smoke-free policies cost less to put in place and enforce than policies allowing smoking, which may involve high capital and running costs of new ventilation systems or smoking rooms.
6. What benefits would a smoke-free policy bring to employers?
Smoke-free policies reduce smoking amongst employees and are also a cost-effective way of helping active smokers to quit. Additional benefits include:
7. What benefits would a Smoke-free Policy bring to employees?
8. Are there any legal issues surrounding passive smoking?
The Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) obliges ‘every employer to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of his/her employees’. This law extends to passive smoke, as the Governments Scientific Advisory Committee has stated, without equivocation, that passive smoking causes various diseases.
The right of an individual not to be exposed to second-hand smoke in public places, including the workplace, is increasingly being recognised. Civil litigation is on the increase with employees, whose health has been harmed by second hand smoke, suing their employers.
If an employer does everything reasonable and practical to reduce passive smoking then the risk of litigation will be greatly reduced or eliminated.
9. Won’t this be very unpopular?
On the contrary, surveys show that it will be very popular, even among smokers. 84% of all adults, including 69% of smokers, think that smoking should be restricted at work. 85% of adults and 69% of smokers even think that smoking should be restricted in restaurants.
10. Is this fair on smoking employees?
There is a conflict between what some regard as a right to smoke and what others regard as a right to breathe clean air. It is an ethical judgement, but where there is a conflict, the right to clean air should always come first.
11. Why do we need the National Clean Air Award in Northern Ireland?
Although smoke-free legislation is to be introduced in Northern Ireland in April 2007 the National Clean Air Award will be an additional incentive for local businesses to introduce their own no-smoking policy within the coming year.
This scheme will act as a formal and enforceable means of controlling smoking in the workplace in the run up to this legislation.
12. What criteria must my business/organisation meet to receive a National Clean Air Award?
There are two types of National Clean Air Award – Gold and Silver. The criteria are as follow.
Gold
Silver
Note: A written policy is essential for each award. Please complete the online enquiry form if you would like assistance in developing a policy.
Applying for a National Clean Air Award couldn’t be easier! There are two ways of doing this:
14. What are the benefits of a National Clean Air Award?
Whether or not you are an award holder you can visit the
National Clean Air Award website and access:
By becoming an award holder you will acquire
It is important to note that any smoke-free organisation can become an award holder and have their name appear on the on-line directory without paying anything. If however, an organisation would like to receive a certificate the charge is as follow:
£5.00 for workforce of less than 250 staff
£15 for workforce of more than 250 staff
