Benefits of Smokefree Workplaces

1. For the employees:
   A smokefree environment helps create a safe, healthful workplace.A well planned and carefully implementedeffort by the employer to address the effects of smoking on employees' health and the health of the families shows the company cares.Workers who are bothered by smoke will not be exposed to it at the worksite.Smokers appreciate a clear company policy about smoking at work.Managers are relieved when a process for dealing with smoking in the workplace is clearly defined.
2. For the employer:
   A smokefree environment helps create a safe, healthful workplace.Direct health care costs to the company may be reduced.Maintenance costs go down when smoke, matches, and cigarette butts are eliminated in facilities.Office equipment, carpets, and furniture last longer.It may be possible to negotiate lower health, life, and disability coverage as employee smoking is reduced.The risk of fires is lower.

Steps for successful policy change

1. Decide on a specific goal for policy change.
   What is the goal? Do you want to convert one restaurant into a Smoke-Free Zone, or do you have larger secondhand smoke regulatory policy goals for your county or city? 
2. Strategic assessment.
   How prevalent is the smoking issue? What are the current laws on the books? How open are the managers/owners to changing their smoking policy? Are there other people who support your goal? Have you thought about using surveys to determine support for policy change?
3. Develop a working coalition for policy change.
   How large does the coalition need to be? Who are the strategic players? Have you represented the diversity of the community? Have you involved non-traditional partners and influential players on your list of coalition partners? What resources, financial and/or human do you need? Have you chosen someone who will be in charge of communications and media? Have you developed trust among the coalition through speaking honestly and openly?
4. Clarify your strategy.
   What is your plan and timeline? Have you thought about potential points of conflict? What are your back-up plans if your primary strategy is unsuccessful? Are influential players backing or opposing your action? Have you thought about how you will use media, and if you will use education, regulation, litigation or other forms of advocacy?
5. Decide on roles & responsibilities.
   Have you developed small, specialized, working groups? Is everyone working together? Have you clarified your goals?
6. Enact your plan.
   Is your timeline well delineated and accurate? Do you need follow-up meetings to assess your progress? Have you incorporated positive incentives? Have you involved children, media and secondhand smoke sensitive victims and survivors?
7. Defend your policy.
   Has your policy come under attack? What are some responses to these attacks? Are your coalition members prepared to meet these attacks? Have you developed a rationale that includes all of the benefits of a smoke free environment?
8. Acknowledge the need for cessation programs.
   Have you found some basic information to help those who may come to you as a source for cessation information?
9. Evaluate the impact of the policy.
   Can you use evaluation tools (link) that empower the coalition? What parts of your strategy can you evaluate as you go to be sure you are working towards your overall goals? Have you publicized your success? (Source: University of North Carolina School of Medicine, “ETS Community Change Toolbox”)