Q. Will there be a reduction in health care costs at the end
of year one?
A. Clarify the difficulties in promising savings in health care costs within one year. If you accurately identify who is smoking before the new policy takes effect, a careful assessment of changes in smoking among employees at the end of year one can be used to calculate the potential cost benefit of the smokefree policy.
Q. Does passive smoking really have any adverse health effects on nonsmokers?
A. Inform about the known health effects of ETS by using the scientifically referenced information. You may want to seek the support of your corporate medical director or a community health professional. Should employees be allowed to take time away from their job to participate in smoking cessation activities? You can plan these programs at times that are not part of the work day but are convenient for employees (e.g., before work, during lunch, or after work). Point out that over the long term, time off to attend smoking cessation programs will add up to less time than employees take to smoke.
Q. Will a smokefree policy result in the loss of smoking employees?
A. Very few employees leave companies because of implementation of smoke-free policies: 3.5% of an extensive small business sample and 2% of another sample said employees left due to a smokefree policy.
Q. Will a smokefree policy be too difficult to enforce?
A. Enforcement procedures are almost never needed, because most policies are self-enforcing and compliance is very high. Compliance is high because both management and employees usually support the smokefree policy.
Q. Will a smokefree policy alienate clients?
A. In most cases, clearly posted signs are enough to alert clients to your smokefree policy. Some companies hand out a small card explaining the smokefree policy.
Q. Won’t a smokefree policy cost too much time and money to implement?
A. Experience and limited survey data have demonstrated that developing and implementing a smokefree policy does not need to be expensive or time-consuming. Costs and time can be saved with a well thought-out implementation.
Q. Will a smokefree policy alienate clients?
A. In most cases, clearly posted signs are enough to alert clients to your smokefree policy. Some companies hand out a small card explaining the smokefree policy.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention