Smokefree

Overview

Smoking kills more people in New Zealand each year than road crashes, alcohol, other drugs, suicide, Smokefree workplacemurder and drowning combined. Smoking has negative effects on the health and wellbeing of employees and their whānau. However, it’s never too late to stop. 

To find out why Smokefree is important in your workplace view click here.

See the following sections for examples of how to address smoking using a multi-level approach.

 

 

 

Organisational Change

Organisational change ensures the workplace’s policies, practices and culture support a smokefree workplace.  Examples of what you can do in your workplace include:

Develop a smokefree policy or include smokefree in a standard employee wellbeing policy. Consider including:

  • Smokefree workplace (or specified designated smoking area that is away from other staff and public), include all buildings, worksite, workplace grounds, and vehicles
  • Ensure that the workplace is adhering to the legal requirements around smokefree
  • Promote smokefree messages and offer support to those wanting to quit
  • Strategy for supporting employees who wish to become smokefree

Nominate staff member/s to become Quitcard Providers

Encourage managers to lead by example and support staff who are wanting to quit smoking

Include whānau and wider community in workplace wellbeing events and activities

Environmental Change

Creating a healthy working environment can encourage a smokefree workplace. Examples of what you can do in your workplace include:

Banning smoking in the workplace (including grounds, building, and vehicles) or restrict areas where staff can smoke                                                            

Prominently display smokefree signage and remove ashtrays in smoke free areas

Display smokefree resources and quitting information in the workplace

Offer nicotine replacement therapy to help employees stay smokefree throughout their work shift

Make areas around entrance ways and walkways smokefree

Individual Change

Individual change focuses on opportunities for knowledge and skill development to support a smokefree workplace.  Examples of what you can do in your workplace include:

Provide opportunities for knowledge and skill development, such as

  • Information sessions or resources (e.g. the organisation’s workplace smokefree policy, smokefree resources and fact sheets, quitting information and available support services)
  • Access to support services (e.g. employee assistance programmes (EAP), smoking cessation provider services)
  • Encourage staff to support each other when quitting smoking

Promote or participate in awareness days, such as World No Tobacco May or Stoptober

Sign up to e-newsletters and promote to the staff, such as the Smokefree Coalition

Community Links and Partnerships

To access a variety of useful services and resources relating to Smokefree see our Community Links page.

Page updated 15 Feb 2021