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QUESTION: Our agency is planning on implementing a policy on being a smoke-free agency. Would other agencies be willing to share their experiences and policies with us? When our agency decided to implement a smoke-free policy, we notified employees several months in advance. Our agency went entirely tobacco-free, including smoking and smokeless tobacco. The policy states that “we are a tobacco-free environment and no use of tobacco on any agency property is allowed.” There were actually many employees that used this policy implementation to stop smoking. *** Our agency has had a smoke-free building policy for quite some time. Smoking is restricted to one or two areas outside the back of the building. In the agency’s group homes, individuals are asked not to smoke inside the homes, most smoke on the patio or in the garage. There is no smoking allowed in vehicles while an employee is transporting individuals. *** Smoking is not allowed in the Prevocational/Facility Habilitation building. However, our agency feels that having a no smoking policy in the homes of a Waiver program where individuals pay for the housing could be perceived as a rights violation. We would poll the individuals and the employees and see if they support the policy. Additionally, we would also put supports in place for those that choose to continue to smoke while at work (i.e. designate smoking areas, encouraging use of electronic cigarettes, etc.). *** Our agency has been smoke-free for many years. We have a designated smoking area outside of the building that is for use by both employees and individuals during breaks. This has not caused any problems at all. *** Please see two Smoking Policy samples attached. This information is a compilation of suggestions, ideas, and opinions shared by INARF Members in response to the featured question. This information should not be considered official interpretation or guidance of State or Federal Policy. Additionally, statements within this document do not necessarily reflect an official position or opinion of INARF.
When our agency decided to implement a smoke-free policy, we notified employees several months in advance. Our agency went entirely tobacco-free, including smoking and smokeless tobacco. The policy states that “we are a tobacco-free environment and no use of tobacco on any agency property is allowed.” There were actually many employees that used this policy implementation to stop smoking.
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Our agency has had a smoke-free building policy for quite some time. Smoking is restricted to one or two areas outside the back of the building. In the agency’s group homes, individuals are asked not to smoke inside the homes, most smoke on the patio or in the garage. There is no smoking allowed in vehicles while an employee is transporting individuals.
Smoking is not allowed in the Prevocational/Facility Habilitation building. However, our agency feels that having a no smoking policy in the homes of a Waiver program where individuals pay for the housing could be perceived as a rights violation. We would poll the individuals and the employees and see if they support the policy. Additionally, we would also put supports in place for those that choose to continue to smoke while at work (i.e. designate smoking areas, encouraging use of electronic cigarettes, etc.).
Our agency has been smoke-free for many years. We have a designated smoking area outside of the building that is for use by both employees and individuals during breaks. This has not caused any problems at all.
Please see two Smoking Policy samples attached.