Smoking doesn’t really affect my workforce, does it?
Yes, it does – in fact you may be surprised by how much.  Visit the Why go smoke free? section of this site for more information.

Smoking doesn’t really affect my customers, does it?
Yes, it does – in fact you may be surprised by how much.  Visit the Why go smoke free? section of this site for more information.

Where can I find fact sheets on the effects of exposure to secondhand smoke?
You can find lots of information about secondhand smoke in the Why go smoke free? section of this site.

Is there really a debate as to whether secondhand smoke exposure is harmful?
There is no debate about the effects of exposure to secondhand smoke.  The Environmental Protection Agency, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Cancer Institute all agree that exposure to secondhand smoke is toxic and carcinogenic. 

How can I measure secondhand smoke exposure?
Evidence that you have been exposed to secondhand smoke can be found in your lungs (increased levels of carbon monoxide), blood and urine (in cotinine, a byproduct of nicotine). Your local health department or primary care physician likely can test you for elevated levels of these substances.

How many North Carolinians really support smoke-free atmospheres?
Most North Carolinians (nearly 70%) prefer smoke-free environments.  Furthermore, the majority of North Carolinians are non-smokers (75%).

If I implement a smoke-free policy, will I lose business?
Studies show that restaurants that go smoke-free do not tend to lose business due to their new policies. Some studies even show restaurants increasing business after such a change. For any type of business, most people support businesses that adopt a policy such as this in the interest of the health of their employees (and customers), especially when smoke-free workplaces have become so common nationwide.  It is unlikely that you will lose any customers over this decision. In fact, many customers will be grateful that you are providing a healthy environment.

If I implement a smoke-free policy, will I lose employees?
Most of your employees will probably appreciate the fact that you are adopting this policy in the interest of their health.  While your smoking employees may be frustrated at no longer being able to smoke at work, it is unlikely that you will lose any employees over this decision, especially if you offer cessation services for your smoking employees who want to quit.

What about installing a ventilation system?
Installing a ventilation system is an option that may reduce some of your employees exposure to secondhand smoke, but aside from being extremely expensive, even the newest ventilation technologies under ideal conditions are incapable of removing all secondhand smoke and its toxic constituents from the air.  For more detailed information about why ventilation systems are inadequate to protect your employees and customers from secondhand smoke, click here.

What about separate work areas for smokers and nonsmokers?
Putting smokers in separate work areas wouldn’t really protect the nonsmokers from  secondhand smoke.  Smoke drifts from area to area and is circulated throughout the building by the air handling system.  Furthermore, allowing smokers to smoke in their separate work area would still create a dangerous place for any nonsmoking staff (including the maintenance staff) to visit.  Also, separating workers based on their smoking preference could interrupt work flow – workers are grouped based on their job responsibilities and work product – not based on whether or not they smoke.

Where can I find a model policy?
You can find one here in the Make it happen! section of this site.

Where do I begin?!!?
A great place to start is in the Make it happen! section of this site.  You’ll find all of the resources you’ll need to develop and implement a smoke-free policy within your organization.

Are there any tools for helping me brainstorm some policy ideas?
Yes – browse the Policy options and Make it happen! sections of this site for the information you seek.

Should I implement the smoke-free policy on a graduated time-scale?
It is a good idea to involve various levels of management and employees in implementing a new policy, to introduce the new policy to your employees with enough advanced notice that they can try to quit or come up with a plan to smoke off campus before the policy takes effect, and to offer cessation resources for your employees over time. 

How do I not alienate my employees who smoke?
There are many things you can do to support your smoking employees through this process.  Visit the Make it happen! section of this site for more information.

Who should be on my team to help develop and implement the new policy?
You should involve all people who are potentially affected by the policy – staff, management, unions, smokers, and nonsmokers. 

What if the majority of people in my county are employed by the tobacco industry?
Providing a healthy atmosphere for your employees does not mean that you are anti-tobacco, just that you are taking steps to protect the health of ALL employees, including those that do not smoke. 

Have any other business owners in my area implemented smoke-free policies?
Absolutely!  Visit our N.C. Smoke-Free Workplace Directory to find businesses in your area which have already implemented smoke-free policies, and which have agreed to be contacted as a resource to help you with the implementation of your own policy!

Who will support the smoke-free policy in the community?
Adults, children, smoke-sensitive people, elderly people, pregnant women, parents, teenagers, other business owners... everyone!

Where can I find sample surveys to help me determine how a smoke-free policy might affect my business?
You can find such sample surveys here in the Make it happen! section of this site.

Where can I find quit-smoking/smoking cessation resources?
You can find quit-smoking/smoking cessation resources in the Make it happen! section of this site.

Are there trainings available for changing secondhand smoke policies?
Yes! Contact the EnTER Program or the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Tobacco Prevention and Control Branch for more information on trainings and technical assistance.

How do I use the media to let the public know about our policy change?
If you regularly interact with the media, through advertising or news releases, feel free to proudly announce your new policy through these means.  You can get technical assistance on media work around smoking policies from Ann Houston, director of public education for the NC DHHS Tobacco Prevention and Control Branch.  You can contact her at (704) 545-3224 or ncs1395@mindspring.com.

What programs are available in North Carolina to help employees who want to quit smoking?
See the smoking cessation resources pages in the Make it happen! section of this site for information about programs available online and across the state to help your employees who want to quit smoking.

Will offering smoking cessation services save our organization in health care costs?
Yes, it will!  See the costs to employers page on this site for details about how smoking costs your organization money, and how offering cessation services can save your organization money by the thousands!