Tobacco-Free Workplaces

Sandy Bernier, CSWFond du Lac Co Health DepartmentFond du Lac, WI

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.

Policy continuum

Public state policy

Publiccommunity policy

Public municipal policy

Voluntary workplace campus/grounds policy

Voluntary workplace building policy

“Building the critical mass”

Tobacco use causes substantial human suffering

It is the most preventable cause of disease and death

Tobacco addiction is a chronic disease

Benefits of Being Tobacco Free

Save peoples lives Improve employee’s health Lower health care costs Increase productivity Reduce absenteeism Reduce liability Longer careers Retention of talent

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

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

Opportunity’s To Promote Policy

Business is proactive Local ordinance State goes smoke-free

Types of Workplace Policies

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

Intent/Purpose of Tobacco Free Workplace

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

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

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

State "Smoker Protection" Laws

An employer’s 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

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.

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: ________

City of FDL Fire Department

PRE-EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT between the CITY OF FOND DU LAC FIRE DEPARTMENT And

(PLEASE PRINT)A Firefighter / Paramedic’s 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.

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."

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

Smokeless Tobacco

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

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

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.

http://web.mac.com/creativerep/WiNTiP_Site_1/WiNTiP_Home.html

Front page of the FDL Paper

The Emotional Testimony Vote Night

Smoke-Free Workplace Ordinance 9.15 All workplaces Private Clubs One entrance must be smoke-free

Education

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

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_mental.health.htm

Implementation ResourcesOn-Line No Smoking Signs Posters Check Stub Stuffers Frequently Asked Questions

www.goingsmokefree.org

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

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

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

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

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

Evaluate and Modify

How was it implemented? Implemented as planned? Need modifications? Based upon the most recent evidence-

based recommendations for tobacco cessation?

Share Your Success

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

http://smokefreeoregon.com/college/index.php

Thank You

Questions

Sandy Bernier: sandy.bernier@fdlco.wi.gov

Lynn Hrabik: hrabik@wisc.edu