Tobacco-Free Workplaces

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Tobacco-Free Workplaces

• Sandy Bernier, CSW
• Fond du Lac Co Health Department
• Fond du Lac, WI

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Raise your hand if..

• Your state has implemented a comprehensive SF
  workplace law.
• Your state has passed but not yet implemented a
  comprehensive SF workplace law.
• Your state is still working on passing a SF
  workplace law.

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Policy continuum
Building the critical mass
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• Tobacco use causes substantial human suffering
• It is the most preventable cause of disease and
  death
• Tobacco addiction is a chronic disease

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Benefits of Being Tobacco Free

• Save peoples lives
• Improve employees health
• Lower health care costs
• Increase productivity
• Reduce absenteeism
• Reduce liability
• Longer careers
• Retention of talent

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Smoke Free or Tobacco Free?

• Tobacco-free emphasizes health for all, not just
  innocent bystanders
• Clear and equitable policy for managers
• Promotes cessation rather than dual use
• May support ideal corporate image
• Changes societal norms

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Tobacco Rates By Occupation

• Smoking
• Transportation/Material Moving 46
• Waiters/Waitress 45
• Construction Trades 40
• Laborers, except construction 39
• Fabricators, assemblers, inspectors 37
• Health service occupations 35
• Sales and retail workers 27
• Executive administrators, managers 24
• Secretaries 21
• Teachers 12

• Smokeless tobacco
• Males
• Youth/young adults
• Caucasians
• Military
• Athletes

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Opportunitys To Promote Policy

• Business is proactive
• Local ordinance
• State goes smoke-free

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Types of Workplace Policies

• Smoke-Free Workplace
• Smoke-Free Buildings and Grounds
• Tobacco Free
• Tobacco Free On/Off Duty

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Intent/Purpose of Tobacco Free Workplace

• Protect the health, comfort, safety, and
  welfare of the employees by prohibiting tobacco
  use in the workplace.

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Policy Development

• Develop a tobacco-free workplace committee
• Review current policy
• Seek employee input (Union)
• Research state statutes (off duty) policy
• Decide on the type of policy

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Working with Labor Unions

• Labor unions and management both want healthy
  workers, and safe and healthy work environments
• Does the union have a stated position on tobacco
  use?
• What is the opinion of labor relations regarding
  whether a policy on tobacco use must be
  negotiated?
• http//workshifts.org/workSHIFTS.html

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State "Smoker Protection" Laws

• An employers ability to make employment
  decisions based on whether someone smokes off the
  job varies from one state to the next.
• Twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia
  have laws in effect elevating smokers to a
  protected class
• Wisconsin1991WIS. STAT. 111.31 et seq

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Scotts Miracle Grow

• The Legal Ability to Mandate a Smoke-Free
  Workforce
• Ohio Employers Can Hire Nonsmokers Only
• In December 2005, Scotts Miracle-Gro, based
  in Marysville, Ohio, announced that it will no
• longer hire applicants that smoke. Scotts
  further announced that current employees who do
  not quit smoking by October 2006 may lose their
  jobs, even if they smoke only outside of work.

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City of FDL Police Dept.

• PRE-EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
• between the CITY OF FOND DU LAC POLICE
  DEPARTMENT And____________________________________
  __________________________ (please print)
• The applicant by signing below, agrees to
  recognize his/her part and agrees not to smoke or
  use any type of smoking materials or tobacco
  during their employment with the City of Fond du
  Lac, while on or off duty. Violation of this
  agreement will be cause for immediate dismissal.
• Agreed to by ________ Date ________

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City of FDL Fire Department

• PRE-EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT between the CITY OF FOND
  DU LAC FIRE DEPARTMENT And
  
• (PLEASE PRINT)A Firefighter / Paramedics
  duties and responsibilities sometimes require
  working in a smoke-filled environment and/or
  hazardous environment.
• In recognition of these occupational hazards,
  special privileges are granted to firefighters
  regarding disability retirements State Statute
  40.65 (Heart and Lung Bill).
• The City recognizes the need to minimize effects
  on employees and provides self-contained
  breathing apparatus for all hazardous situations.
  The applicant by signing below, agrees to
  recognize his/her part and agrees not to smoke or
  use any type of smoking materials or tobacco
  during his/her employment with the City of
  Fond du Lac, whether on or off duty.
• Violation of this agreement will be cause for
  immediate dismissal.

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FDL Fire Chief Peter O'Leary

• "Heart attack is the number one killer of
  firefighters in our country. The City of Fond du
  Lac fire department's proactive stance to
  restrict tobacco use by its members which we hope
  will prevent heart attacks. We hope our approach
  serves as a model for the people of our
  community."

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Sample Policy

• Best policy has clear and simple language
• Determine coverage for cessation
• Identify personnel involved with implementation
  and compliance
• Make sure your procedures have clear guidelines
• www.tobwis.org

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Smokeless Tobacco
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City of FDL Smoke-Free Ordinance

• October 22, 2008 City of FDL passed a
• comprehensive Smoke-Free workplace ordinance
• January 2, 2009 the ordinance was implemented

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128 Fond du Lac county residents die from
tobacco related illnesses each year
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FDL Reporter

• Oct. 9, 2008 Council takes testimony from both
  sides of proposed citywide workplace smoking ban.
• Oct. 22, 2008 City Council, in a 4-3 vote,
  adopts ordinance that bans smoking in all city
  workplaces. The ordinance includes taverns and
  bowling alleys.
• Feb. 2, 2009 Amended start date. Smoking ban
  begins at 6 a.m.

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http//web.mac.com/creativerep/WiNTiP_Site_1/WiNTi
P_Home.html
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Front page of the FDL Paper

• The Emotional Testimony Vote Night

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Smoke-Free Workplace Ordinance 9.15

• All workplaces
• Private Clubs
• One entrance must be smoke-free

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Education

• Identify partners for collaboration
• Create communication opportunities
• Implement count down and timeline
• Develop FAQ

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Tobacco-Free Workplace Toolkit

• No-smoking /Tobacco Free Workplace Signage
• Posters
• Frequently asked questions
• Cessation Information
• www.fdlco.wi.gov
• http//www.ctri.wisc.edu/HC.Providers/healthcare_m
  ental.health.htm

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Implementation ResourcesOn-Line

• No Smoking Signs
• Posters
• Check Stub Stuffers
• Frequently Asked Questions
• www.goingsmokefree.org

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Implementing the Policy

• Start from the top-down Management ?
  Supervisors ? Line Workforce
• Distribute notification to workers and public
• Understand that not everyone will quit using
  tobacco, recognize tobacco use is addictive, and
  know quitting is hard work

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Prior to Implementation

• Post visible signage
• Remove ashtrays
• Identify creative ways to inform public
• Communicate a clear message of the consequences
  of non-compliance
• The workplace policy applies to all levels of
  employees

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Continue a visual countdown

• Start the countdown at least 6 months prior to
  implementation
• Frequently remind employees, vendors, community
  members using a consistent message
• Provide communication early on with supervisors,
  managers, anyone responsible for enforcement

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Encouraging Compliance

• Focus on the product, not the individual
• Information and resources vs. Punishment
• Goal is safe and healthy workplace
• Have compassion for those who are addicted

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Sustaining

• Stay on the public health message
• Human Resource Managers should review policies,
  procedures, and benefits as needed
• Continue to offer cessation information to
  employees

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Evaluate and Modify

• How was it implemented?
• Implemented as planned?
• Need modifications?
• Based upon the most recent evidence-based
  recommendations for tobacco cessation?

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Share Your Success

• Workplace newsletters
• Local Media
• Local and State Legislatures
• Blog, Twitter, Face book

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http//smokefreeoregon.com/college/index.php
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Thank You

• Questions
• Sandy Bernier sandy.bernier_at_fdlco.wi.gov
• Lynn Hrabik hrabik_at_wisc.edu