Workplaces need to help you stop smoking

By Nottingham Post | Posted: March 11, 2015

Firms need to help staff to give up smoking.

Ex-smoker Penny Strutton, a performance and careers coach, looks at smoking in the workplace.

It is 10 years ago in September that my husband dragged me kicking and screaming (well, chain-smoking, actually) to a mass hypnotherapy session to kick the habit.

Begrudgingly handing over my refundable £80 I asked specifically when I would be able to get it back, convinced I was just about to waste two hours of my life.

I walked out of that strange, dark setting and, believe it or not, have never touched a cigarette again – not one. After being a 30-a-day girl, I never thought it would be possible.

Although today is No Smoking Day, don’t worry, I’m not going to lecture those that still partake of the habit – I know too well how hard it is to quit when you believe you’re hooked for life.

Being pretty much a chain smoker, my work day was driven from one cigarette to another. Dipping in and out of the office was the norm and although I thought I was productive, it wasn’t until after I stopped smoking how much I time I realised I had been spending outside the building instead of inside working.

Ten years on after the restrictions of smoking in public places was introduced, greater attention is being placed on the damages smoking causes to the smoker and those around them. At work, smokers and non-smokers alike benefit from having an effective company policy in place.

A good policy should set out clearly how much time is allowed for breaks in work (whether they be used for a smoking break or a healthy break from the work station), where smoking should take place (hopefully avoiding the entrance of the building), how the policy will be enforced (to ensure all expectations are effectively managed), and – most importantly, in my opinion – provide support and information on the effects of smoking and access to anti-smoking programmes.

With statistics demonstrating a decrease in daily smoking consumption in companies that operate a total smoke-free zone, employers need to accept the responsibility they have in maintaining a healthy environment for their staff and encouraging not only a smoke-free workplace, but a smoke-free life where possible.

If you’re a small business owner and want to get the ‘smoke-free’ ball rolling, the following steps can get you started:

Consult with your employees: you need them on board, so get them involved! You may want to call a team meeting or send out a questionnaire. Either way, gaining an understanding for what your employees would deem acceptable is important when drafting your policy.

Send out a draft: once you’ve pulled together a draft, send it out to your employees for comment.

Finalise it: demonstrate how you’ve taken on board comments or why you have chosen to exclude them. Everyone needs to feel like they’ve been heard!

Send a letter: once you’ve finalised it, send out a copy of the policy with a letter to each employee notifying them of when it will come into effect.

Review it regularly: make sure your staff are happy with how it is being implemented and enforced and make appropriate changes.

If you need support in pulling your first smoking policy together, please do get in touch at penny@psbebetter.co.uk.