Along with politics and religion, smoking regulations would be one of the most controversial topics today. The U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) recommends all companies to develop smoking policies that will protect non-smoking employees from health problems associated with secondhand smoke. Companies must decide how they will regulate on-the-job smoking and they must know how to do this right.

Companies should know how to legally regulate employees smoking on the job so as to avoid any legal problems. Steps must be followed in order to have an effective and acceptable smoking policy. Laws related to all workplace smoking policy must first be learned. Companies must also strategically decide where to set up specific smoking and also, non smoking areas within the workplace. Lastly, companies need to thoughtfully develop their own special smoking policy and communicate such effectively without breaking any law.

Before creating any smoking policy, companies must fully research all state and local laws related to smoking in the workplace. Laws would vary with each state and local city. A number of states ban smoking in public areas with others allowing on-the-job smoking depending on a given situation. ItsSimple.Biz has links on smoking laws according to state. Check it out to know about legal smoking regulations in the workplace.

Designate specific smoking areas as well as non-smoking areas. You need to look to state laws to specifically learn more about recommended locations and about how to set designated smoking areas, including placing proper signage. HR Business & Legal Reports (HR.BLR) has chart listing smoking policies with their corresponding workplace requirements for each state. Resources are available at Centers for Disease Control (CDC) about a “Guide to Choosing a Workplace Policy”.

If you’re not yet decided about allowing smoking in your company, consider and calculate first all financial as well as health costs that will be expended by your company and employees. A study from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proves that nonsmokers routinely exposed to secondhand smoke in the workplace have a 50% greater risk of developing lung cancer as opposed to those who are not exposed. Find calculations from Go Working Smoke-Free or browse the American Lung Association. They have a fact sheet on smoking policies in the workplace.

Be sure to create a smoking policy which is fair for everyone. You may get online templates which can help create smoking policies. Always set clear and understandable rules regarding allowable break time equal for both smokers and nonsmokers. Check state and local laws before designing your smoking policy to ensure legality and fairness.
CDC outlines step-by-step procedures to designing a smoking policy. Also, Personnel Policy Service provides a downloadable smoking policy kit. This kit includes regulations, free posters and also HR forms for the price of only $20. Business Owner’s Toolkit also provides a customizable smoking policy.

Before allowing workplace smoking, you have to be fully aware of all additional financial costs such as maintenance costs, cleaning costs, and fire insurance costs. See first if your company is already required to have smoking areas since small sized businesses may do away with that.

Tags: Business Regulations, Health Care, Smoking Regulations