Tobacco Documents Online

Secondhand Smoke in the Workplace The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 promises job safety and health protection for workers by providing safe and healthful working conditions. The Environmental Protection Agency now states that exposure to secondhand smoke greatly increases the chances of developing lung cancer and other serious respiratory problems. In general, ventilation or filtration of air in the workplace to remove secondhand smoke is futile. It's like trying to filter a lake to control water pollution. The only viable approach to protect nonsmokers is source control: making the entire building smoke-free or restricting smoking to a separately ventilated area that nonsmokers never have to enter. Your health should never be placed in jeopardy for the convenience of smoking employees. The right to breathe safely is more important than the right to smoke. Benefits of a Smoke-Free Workplace The greatest benefit is, of course, the removal of all the health risks associated with secondhand tobacco smoke. You'll also experience the immediate benefit of a better- smelling workplace. The business itself will realize several benefits from a smoke-free policy: * The company protects itself from possible lawsuits from nonsmoking employees affected by secondhand smoke. * Every smoker costs his or her company at least $1,000 a year because of decreased productivity and increased health care costs. Much of this money may be saved if a smoke-free policy is instated. And management will no longer have to waste its time and energy on the smoking issue. ~ U S DEPARTMENT oF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES ~ . . Pubtic Health Service CDC~

* *. The company's life, health, and fire insurance premiums may be lower if smoking is not allowed on the premises. * The company will realize other cost savings because computer equipment, furniture, carpets, and other furnishings last longer and need less maintenance in a smoke-free environment. * Most companies document an improvement in employee morale after establishing a nonsmoking policy. A recent survey found that only 5% of Americans oppose any smoking restrictions in the workplace. A well-planned smoking policy sends the message that the company is concerned about the health and well-being of its employees. * Most smokers want to quit, and workplace restrictions can provide another reason to stop. How to Get Your Workplace to Be Smoke-Free Speak with, or write a memo to the person in charge of making company policies. Be sure to include the facts about the health hazards of secondhand smoke. Position yourself as someone who is not bringing a complaint or a problem, but a solution. Then help provide the right solution for your work environment. If you have co-workers who smoke, be sympathetic and understanding and support their efforts to quit. Let them know that tobacco smoke affects everyone, not just them. Work with them to design a smoke-free plan that everyone can live with. Also be sure your company's benefits administrator looks into insurance plans that offer premium breaks for smoke-free workplaces. Many national and local health organizations provide expert help in establishing smoke-free workplace policies. Consult the resource list in this guide or call the Office on Smoking and Health, CDC, for a copy (1-800-CDC-1311).