No Smoking Policy

It is the Company’s policy that all of its workplaces are smoke-free and that all employees have a right to work in a smoke-free environment and not be exposed to second-hand smoke.  This is also a statutory requirement.  As such, the Company’s business premises are no smoking premises and smoking is prohibited in all areas of the workplace at all times with no exceptions.  This includes company vehicles.

The Company’s policy on smoking applies not only to employees but also to visitors to the workplace, including clients, customers, contractors and suppliers.

In addition, the Company wishes to portray a professional business image to its clients, customers and suppliers when they visit the Company’s business premises. Therefore, employees are not allowed to smoke immediately outside the entrance to or exit from the workplace.

Appropriate ‘No Smoking’ signs are clearly displayed at the entrances to and within the workplace.

Implementation

(Name(s)) [is/are] responsible for the implementation of and compliance with this policy and a copy will be provided to all staff.  All employees are required to adhere to, and facilitate the implementation of, this policy.  Anyone who wishes to report an incident of smoking in the workplace should therefore speak to (name(s)).

Non-compliance

Employees who are found to be smoking in the workplace in contravention of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the Company’s disciplinary procedure.  A breach of this policy will be treated as a serious disciplinary offence.  Where the smoking constituted a health and safety hazard, then such behaviour will be treated as potential gross misconduct and could render the employee liable to summary dismissal.

If a client, customer, contractor or supplier does not comply with this policy, they will be warned that they are committing an offence, requested to immediately refrain from smoking and, if they refuse, they will be asked to leave (or will be ejected from) the premises.

Those who do not comply with the smoking ban are also liable to a fixed penalty fine and possible criminal prosecution and they expose the Company to similar action.

Help to stop smoking –

Support for smokers who want to stop smoking can be obtained from [the NHS Smoking Helpline on 0800 022 4332 (England)] [the NHS Smokeline on 0800 848484 (Scotland)] [Stop Smoking Wales on 0800 085 2219 (Wales)] [the Smoking Helpline on 0800 858585 (Northern Ireland)] or at http://smokefree.nhs.uk/ or from your local GP’s surgery.