Smoke and Work
New Law
From 1st July 2007 virtually all enclosed public places and workplaces in England became smokefree.
Why the need for legislation? To protect workers and the public from the risks of second hand smoke. The health effects are proven and result in around three people dying each day and many more suffering ill health in the UK because of it.
Several countries around the world including Scotland and the Republic of Ireland have already successfully introduced smoke free legislation, designed to protect workers from the effects of second hand smoke. And as a result, more staff employed in their bars, restaurants and pubs are breathing fresh air, thanks to smoke free.
Impacts of smoking in the workplace
Smoking and exposure to second hand smoke can have a major impact on the workplace. It is estimated that three people a day suffer from second hand smoke inhalation in the UK and many more suffer ill health because of it.
It has been estimated that, in the UK, 900 office workers, 165 bar workers and 145 manufacturing workers die from workplace second hand smoke exposure every year (Action on Smoking and Health, ASH, 2003).
The government’s Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health (SCOTH) estimates that exposure to second hand smoke increases the risks of both heart disease and lung cancer by around 25%.
Other conditions associated with exposure to second hand smoke include: nasal cancer, asthma, respiratory problems, middle ear disease, reduced fertility, miscarriage and low birth weight, eye irritation, nausea and headaches.
All of this contributes to unnecessary cost to you and your business.
Smoking and exposure to second hand smoke can have a major impact on the workplace. Higher sickness rates lead to:
- More sick pay
- Lost productivity and output
- Increased absenteeism (1.5 million days/year in Greater Manchester)
- Increased stress levels
Staff who take smoking breaks could be losing their Greater Manchester employers up to one day in productivity for every working week, equivalent of £364 million in wages per year (Department of Health North West Public Health Group, 2005).
Smoking can create a number of other costs for employers including:
- Cleaning and redecoration
- Provision of facilities for both smokers and non-smokers
- An increased fire risk (smoking causes 10% of accidental fires in the workplace)
- Higher fire insurance premiums
What are the benefits of a Smoke Free Workplace?
The benefits of going Smoke Free include:
- Increased productivity
- Reduced sickness and absence
- Improved staff morale
- Reduced legal costs connected with health and safety issues
- An increase in the positive image projected by the company
- No need for expensive ventilation systems
- Compliance with future legislation
Under the new legislation, employers are responsible for ensuring smoking does not occur within enclosed and substantially enclosed parts of the premises, and face substantial penalties from Environmental Health for non-compliance. Individuals who smoke in smoke free premises will be committing an offence and may be subject to a Fixed Penalty Notice.
The law is here to help your staff - and everyone else - breathe fresher air.
Anyone with doubts about the implications of the law for their business should contact the Smoke Free team on 0161 770 4502 or by email smokefreeoldham@oldham.gov.uk.
