Smoking policies, drugs and alcohol abuse

Smoking policies

The health risks of smoking and passive or secondary smoking are well known, with many non-smokers resenting having to breathe other people's smoke.

Government policy recommends that non-smoking should be regarded as the norm in enclosed workplaces. Special provision should be made for smoking, rather than vice versa. It is also advised that smokers should be segregated from non-smokers.

Drawing up a smoking policy has clear benefits, including:

• a healthier workforce
• reduced disputes between smokers and non-smokers
• cleaner premises
• a better image
• increased compliance with your health and safety responsibilities

What your policy should cover

Your policy should give priority to the needs of non-smokers who don't wish to breathe tobacco smoke.

The key issue is where smokers are permitted to smoke. You might consider:

• a total ban
• creating designated smoking areas away from non-smokers
• allowing smoking in each work area unless someone objects

Which approach to adopt depends on what's reasonably practicable in a particular workplace.

Many small businesses prohibit smoking inside and require employees to leave the building to smoke. This may raise further issues, eg it may not be good for the image of your business to have employees smoking in a huddle on your doorstep.

Consult with your employees, both smokers and non-smokers, to see what will work best in your circumstances.

Prioritise the health and welfare of those who don't smoke. So if you choose to allow smoking in designated areas, make sure the ventilation in your buildings is sufficient to protect non-smokers.

Remember too that introducing a policy on smoking will affect employees' conditions of employment. Employers should be careful not to infringe employment rights.

Adapt your policy to fit your business' needs. For example, if you employ plumbers and decorators you might want to prohibit smoking anywhere on customers' premises. This helps maintain your image and reputation as a responsible, professional business.

You can download a guide on passive smoking at work from the HSE website (PDF).

Read about drawing up a smoking policy on the Acas website.

Subjects covered in this guide

• Introduction
• Define policies on smoking, drugs and alcohol abuse
• Smoking policies
• Dealing with alcohol abuse
• Dealing with drug abuse
• Manage stress effectively
• Counselling and support
• Checklist: what your smoking, drug and alcohol abuse policies should cover
• Discipline, grievance and dismissal procedures