Smoke Free Works
Smoking doesn’t just kill smokers!
Although 75% of people are non-smokers they are often exposed to the harmful effects of second hand smoke.
Second-hand smoke increases the risk of cancer, heart disease, vascular disease, numerous respiratory problems, & asthma attacks. It also causes eye irritation, headaches, coughs, sore throats, dizziness & nausea.
National figures show: -
- 3,000,000 non-smokers are exposed to second-hand smoke at work.
- 620 workers / employees die each year because of exposure to second-hand smoke in the workplace.
- Up to 12,000 deaths in Britain each year are caused by second-hand smoke.
- Smokers fare even worse. Smoking is responsible for 120,000 deaths in Britain each year.
- Up to 2000 people a year have to have leg amputations because of smoking related vascular diseases.
In Rochdale it is estimated that 412 funerals are held each year due to smoking related illness – more than 1 person each day.
The Business Argument for a Smoking Policy
Having a Smoking Policy is not about whether people smoke but WHERE & WHEN they smoke. The Government is looking to introduce legislation that will make most workplaces smoke free by 2008 and expects employers to prioritise the needs of non-smoking employees.Smokers are more likely to be ill & take longer to recover. A Smoking Policy will help to reduce absenteeism & sickness and attract non-smokers who take less sick leave for smoking related illnesses, don’t take smoking breaks and are therefore more productive.
The average smoker may take six 10 minute smoke breaks per day, an equivalent of 5 hours of work lost each week per smoker. A Smoking Policy that allows for a completely smoke free workplace can help increase productivity.
Non-smokers resent the breaks taken by smokers. A Smoke Free Workplace can improve staff morale.
Many potential customers & employees are looking for businesses that have a Smoke Free policy. A Smoke Free Workplace can provide a better company image.
- A Smoke Free Workplace can reduce the costs in providing dedicated smoking rooms, general decorating, cleaning & maintenance and replacement of furniture & fittings.
- A Smoke Free Workplace will lower the risk of fire, stock damage and loss of trading and reduce insurance premiums.
- A Smoke Free Workplace will reduce the risk of litigation by employees who are exposed to smoke at work.
- A Smoke Free Workplace reduces tobacco consumption, encourages smokers to quit, helps ex-smokers stay stopped, encourages the young not to start and improves health.
Did You Know?
Every 20 cigarettes shorten life expectancy by 1.5 - 2 hours.
When a smoker stops smoking the body starts to recovery in 20 minutes.
Ventilation does not work. It would need to be of tornado strength to remove all the harmful particles and would be horrendously expensive to install & maintain.
Secondhand smoke is other people’s tobacco smoke. It is also known as passive smoking. It is made up of two types of smoke:
Mainstream smoke that is breathed in and out by smokers.
Sidestream smoke comes from the end of a burning cigarette or cigar and makes up 85% of the smoke in a smoky environment. This type of smoke contains more toxins and nicotine than mainstream smoke.
Tobacco smoke as a whole contains 4000 different toxic chemicals, at least 40 of which are known to cause cancer, with another 20 suspected of causing cancer.
Rochdale PCT offers free smoking support to local workers, for example patches for people wanting to give up smoking.
Your Local Stop Smoking Service can be contacted on 01706 708001.
The National Clean Air Award is a UK wide scheme that rewards employers who have effective workplace no smoking policies and provides guidance to help employers get their no smoking policy right. More information is available on their website www.cleanairaward.org.uk
Further Information and Sources of Help:
NHS Smoking Helpline 0800 169 0169
www.cancer.org which can supply model smoking policies
www.cieh.org has a free toolkit on how to become smokefree
www.ash.org.uk information on how and why to go smokefree