Sample smoke-free policy
A Model Workplace Nonsmoking Policy
ABC Company is dedicated to providing a healthful, comfortable and productive work environment for our employees, clients and visitors.
Multiple scientific sources, including the U.S. Surgeon General, National Cancer Institute, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Environmental Protection Agency, have concluded that:
 | Secondhand smoke is a cause of disease, including lung cancer and heart disease in healthy nonsmokers, resulting in the death of more than 65,000 nonsmoking Americans every year and millions more illnesses and injuries, and |
| The simple separation of smokers and nonsmokers within the same air space does not eliminate the exposure of nonsmokers to environmental tobacco smoke. |
In light of these findings, ABC Company shall be entirely smoke-free, effective [insert date].
Smoking will be strictly prohibited within or immediately outside of company-owned or leased buildings, including offices, hallways, waiting rooms, restrooms, lunchrooms, elevators, meeting rooms, community areas, and entrances and exits to buildings. This policy applies to all employees, clients, contractors and visitors.
Breaks will be granted to all employees in accordance with ABC Company’s Personnel Policies. Smoking must be confined to these breaks (and the [insert time] minute lunch break for full-time employees) and to the outside, designated smoking area only.
Adoption of this policy is being announced three months in advance of the effective date to allow a smooth transition to a smoke-free workplace. Those employees who smoke and would like to take this opportunity to quit smoking are invited to participate in stop-smoking programs offered by this company.
All individuals share in the responsibility for adhering to and enforcing the policy. Any problems should be brought to the attention of the appropriate supervisor and handled through the normal chain of command. Employees who violate this policy will be subject to the same disciplinary actions that accompany infractions of other company rules.
Adapted from: Is Smoking Affecting Your Workplace? A Nonsmoking Policy Handbook
This page was last updated on May 28, 2003. Copyright © 2003 Tobacco Prevention and Control Branch, NC Department of Health and Human Services. All rights reserved. Click here for disclaimer.