Fact Sheet
for Smoke-Free
Health Departments
A survey of health department directors across the state conducted
by the EnTER Program in 2003 assessed opinions on the benefits
and barriers to adopting a 100% smoke-free policy.
Policies
• 89.5% official written policy
• 10.5% unofficial policy
• Only one has a 100% tobacco-free policy
Off-site Policies
• 66.7% prohibited use of tobacco in Health Department vehicles
• 31.6% prohibited tobacco use at off-site Health Department
events and functions
• 18.4% prohibited tobacco use outside all entrances and exits
The majority of Health Department policies ensure smoke-free environments
indoors, but few offer protection in outdoor locations, at off-site
events, or in department vehicles.
In order to adopt 100% tobacco-free policies, Health Directors
will need political support and a strong enforcement mechanism.
To see the full report, go to:
http://www.fammed.unc.edu/enter/
HDReport.pdf |
In May 2005, the passage of House Bill 1482 gave health departments
the right to implement a 100% tobacco-free environment. Previously,
public health departments had the right to implement a smoke free environment
in their own offices, but could not require agencies sharing the buildings
to also be smoke-free.
Clients of health departments should not be exposed to secondhand
smoke. Children and pregnant women are especially vulnerable. Clients
sometimes have long waiting periods between multiple appointments,
so they spend a lot of time at the clinic. They should be assured
of a healthy environment while they are at a clinic.
Why 100% tobacco-free
health department?
- Protects clients from
secondhand smoke exposure.
- Models healthy non-smoking
behavior.
- Simplifies enforcement.
- Reduced exposure to
secondhand smoke makes it easier for employees and clients to
quit smoking.
Keys to a successful
policy:
- Get community support
before bringing the policy to the Board of Health.
- Consult with a lawyer
to create a legally strong policy.
- Communicate the policy
clearly (adequate signs, Smoking Outposts).
- Enforce the
policy consistently.
- Provide smoking cessation
for clients and staff.
Resources that are helpful
in establishing 100% tobacco-free policies include a sample policy,
letters of political support, and “no
smoking” signage.
A 100% tobacco-free health department policy prohibits the use of
tobacco products by anyone at any time at any place on Health Department
grounds or at Health Department events or functions.
|
|
Sample Health Department Policy
No Tobacco Use
- Smoking and other tobacco use is strictly prohibited
and in all buildings on the grounds up to 50 linear feet surrounding
the buildings * of
the _______ County Health Department, all county vehicles assigned
to the department and at all Health Department functions. This policy
applies to all employees, clients, contractors, vendors, and visitors.
- Employees are prohibited from smoking within view of
health department clients during operating hours.
- Copies of this policy are distributed upon employee hire
and when revised.
- Appropriate signage will be posted at all building entrances
and on the grounds.
- The ________ County Health Department provides support
to employees who want to quit the use of tobacco products. These employees
are encouraged to talk to their health care provider about quitting;
ask about appropriate pharmacotherapy available through the ______ County
health insurance plan or employee's insurer and use the free quitting
support services of the North Carolina Tobacco Use Quitline at
1-800-QUIT-NOW, available from 8 AM-12 midnight 7 days per week. Employees
are permitted to take breaks to use the Quitline services during work
time. Smoking/tobacco use cessation classes are offered free of charge
to employees through __________ (e.g. Health Promotion, Project ASSIST,
local Lung Association or Cancer Society). ________ providers are also
available for educational sessions or consultation regarding tobacco
use or aides in quitting, if desired by employees.
- The success of this policy
will depend upon the thoughtfulness, consideration, and cooperation
of all staff. All individuals share in the responsibility for compliance.
All staff are asked to help with compliance when it comes to clients,
contractors, vendors, and visitors by politely informing them of
the policy and asking that they refrain from smoking/using tobacco
in the buildings or on the grounds. If there is a designated smoking
area more than 50 feet from the building, clients, contractors,
vendors, and visitors may be directed there. In keeping with the health
Department mission, the 1-800-QUIT-NOW free telephone tobacco use
cessation support number is posted in appropriate locations at the
health department.
- Any problems with enforcement or adherence to this policy
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 department rules.
* In 2005, legislation passed ( SL
2005-19 and SL 2005-168- 7amending G.S. 143-599) that strengthens
the authority of local governments to regulate smoking in some
county buildings. Specifically the law now grants local governments
broad authority to regulate smoking in the buildings housing
local departments of health and social services and the grounds
surrounding those buildings. The changes to the law do the following:
- Authorize
the local government to regulate smoking in the entire building
where either department is housed
- Exempt the
regulation of these buildings from the limitations imposed
by state law, including the 20 % requirement.
- Authorize the
local government to regulate smoking on the grounds (up to 50 linear
feet) surrounding those buildings. Any policy to regulate smoking/tobacco
use on grounds beyond 50 linear feet should be through a personnel
policy and cannot require but only recommend a preference for employees
not to smoke/use tobacco on the ground. The policy cannot mandate
the public not to use tobacco products on grounds that are beyond
50 linear feet from the building.
|
