One less cigarette, one more healthy day at the office.
A smoke-free workplace environment not only helps protect everyone's lungs but also fosters a positive work ethic, increases productivity, and reduces the burden of disease. Smoking one less cigarette today means one healthier day for yourself and your colleagues tomorrow.
The World Health Organization has clear evidence: There is no safe threshold for exposure to secondhand smoke. The International Labour Organization estimates that approximately 200,000 workers die each year from regularly inhaling secondhand smoke in the workplace.
With over 7,000 chemicals in tobacco products, including 69 carcinogens, tobacco use causes more than 25 dangerous diseases for both smokers and non-smokers who regularly inhale secondhand smoke, such as lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Criteria for establishing a smoke-free workplace.
1. There are posted regulations prohibiting smoking in high-traffic areas within the office.
2. No smoking signs must be posted in meeting rooms, offices, dining rooms, hallways, staircases, and other public areas within the organization. The no-smoking regulations must be clearly visible and placed in easily accessible locations.
3. There is an action plan to prevent the harmful effects of tobacco.
4. There are organized activities to prevent the harmful effects of tobacco.
5. There is no buying, selling, or advertising of tobacco products within the agency's premises.
6. No smoking-related items such as ashtrays or lighters should be present in meeting rooms or offices.
7. Do not accept any direct or indirect support or funding from tobacco companies or organizations related to tobacco companies in any form whatsoever.
8. Include the non-smoking policy as a criterion for evaluating the performance of officials and civil servants.
9. There is no smoking or cigarette butt found in the no-smoking areas of the agency or unit.
The benefits of a smoke-free workplace.
A smoke-free workplace helps reduce the risk of illness and death from passive exposure to tobacco smoke for workers, thereby reducing direct and indirect healthcare costs for both workers and employers related to tobacco-related illnesses.
Healthy workers tend to use less sick time. Smokers get sick more often and use three times as many sick days as non-smokers.
Workers accomplish more tasks. A smoker typically takes four 10-minute breaks per day, resulting in a monthly working time that is less than that of a non-smoker.
People whose workplaces are disturbed by smokers will not be exposed to tobacco smoke. It's important to reiterate that there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke and it can worsen health conditions such as asthma.
