Creating a Tobacco Free Workplace

1. Creating a Tobacco Free Workplace

2. Why Go Tobacco Free Health • 480,000 Americans and 5,900 Minnesotans die each year as a result of smoking and exposure to second hand smoke • Tobacco-free policies help people quit • Second and Third hand smoke US Department of Health and Human Services (2014) The Health Consequences of Smoking – 50 Years of Progress Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (2015) The Toll of Tobacco in Minnesota

3. Why Go Tobacco Free, Continued • Reduce Employer Costs • $2.51 billion per year spent in healthcare costs in Minnesota • Smokers miss 2.6 more days than non-smoking peers • The average smoker takes two 15 minute smoke breaks per in excess of regular break time • Healthcare expenses of a smoker can be 8% higher than for a non-smoker “Making Your Worksite Tobacco Free” American Lung Association Third edition

4. Process of Going Tobacco Free • Develop messaging • Assemble a tobacco-free workgroup or committee • Select a timeline and implementation date • Develop a policy • Determine and promote cessation options • Determine how the policy will be enforced • Communicate and educate • Celebrate implementation day • Evaluate the policy “Making Your Worksite Tobacco Free” American Lung Association Third edition

5. Develop Messaging • State the intention of the employer to go tobacco free • Delivered by leadership (preferably) • Include: • Why you are going tobacco free • When the policy will go into affect • How employees can express comments or concerns • How employees will be updated on the process “Making Your Worksite Tobacco Free” American Lung Association Third edition

6. Assemble a Committee and Develop a Timeline • Assemble a committee • The size depends on size of your organization • Possible individuals to include: • Human resources • Facilities • Union representative • Manager • Business owner • Develop a timeline • A six month to one year implementation period is recommended • The timeline depends on the size of your workplace and the number of people making policy decisions • The number of locations your organization has will also affect the timeline “Making Your Worksite Tobacco Free” American Lung Association Third edition

7. Writing the Policy • Make it a comprehensive policy including all tobacco and tobacco look alike products including e-cigarettes • What locations are included in the policy • Company vehicles • All grounds • What buildings

8. Writing the Policy Continued… • Who is included • Staff • Visitors • Patients • Vendors • Clients • Contractors • Other things to include: • Policy effective date • Enforcement of the policy • Any cessation benefits available to employees “Making Your Worksite Tobacco Free” American Lung Association Third edition

9. Tobacco Free Policies

10. E-Cigarettes Battery powered devices that allow users to inhale (vape) e-juice They are NOT an FDA approved quit aid They are not harmless or as safe as clean air Most adults who use e-cigs also smoke (dual users)

11. Promote Cessation Options • Will you offer something at the workplace like a class or support group • Group based cessation counseling like Freedom from Smoking • What cessation services are offered in your health plan • Statewide cessation services like Quit Plan • Over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapy (gum, lozenges) “Making Your Worksite Tobacco Free” American Lung Association Third edition

12. Policy Enforcement • 100% compliance is difficult • Each workplace must decide enforcement that works for them • Make sure all staff and employees are aware of the policy • Ask employees to sign a document stating they read the policy and understand disciplinary actions that might take place • Ongoing education about the policy • Add to new employee orientation and employee handbook • Reminder during open enrollment for benefits “Making Your Worksite Tobacco Free” American Lung Association Third edition

13. Policy Enforcement, Continued • If possible use the same discipline for any other workplace policy violation • Install tobacco free grounds signage • Educate employees on what to say and do if they discover someone violating the policy • Who do they contact if they see someone violating the policy “Making Your Worksite Tobacco Free” American Lung Association Third edition

14. Communicate and Educate • Communicate and educate: • Employees • Visitors • Staff • Patients • New employees • Vendors, clients • Surrounding workplaces and neighbors • Board of Directors • Methods of communication • Tobacco free signage • Company intranet and external website • Newsletters • E-mail • Admittance forms and other check in forms • Posters, displays, bulletin boards • Window clings or dash signs in company vehicles “Making Your Worksite Tobacco Free” American Lung Association Third edition

15. Invite the media Hold a potluck with healthy options Implementation Day Celebration

16. Evaluate the Policy Conduct follow up surveys with employees Did employees quit or attempt to quit as a result of the policy Can insurance provider provide comparisons of costs before and after policy implementation

17. Thank you again! FirstnameLastname firstname.lastname@state.mn.us 555-555-5555