Content
Context
This policy aims to:
- protect all staff and those visiting and working in University buildings from the harmful effects of second-hand tobacco smoke;
- ensure that all parties have a clear understanding of their rights and responsibilities;
- ensure that the University complies with relevant legislation.
This policy recognises that second-hand smoke adversely affects the health of all employees and is therefore concerned about where people smoke and the effect this has on other employees and members of the public.
This policy has been created to ensure that the University complies with current legislation.
Scope
This policy seeks to guarantee all staff the right to work in air free of smoke generated by all types of burnt and smoked products. Smoking is prohibited throughout all enclosed/substantially enclosed University workplaces and University vehicles, with no exceptions.
Smokers are asked to refrain from smoking at entrances and exits to buildings or near to open windows or air handling units. This policy applies to all staff, students, consultants, contractors and visitors. Members of staff and others who work on sites where smoking is already banned, or that operate under a local site specific policy, will continue to be covered by this. On the Biomedical Campus site, the Cambridge University Hospitals Foundation Trust’s smokefree policy is applicable to all buildings and all outside space which is designated to be part of the Campus. Where a member of staff has sole occupancy of a University domestic residence (tied with their job) they will not be subject to the policy. Staff who are tenants through the University Accommodation Service are bound by the tenancy agreement.
Statement of policy
Definition
The smokefree policy covers all types of burnt and smoked products including cigarettes, tobacco and non-tobacco cigarette products. This policy also applies to e-cigarettes and vapour pipes.
Smoking Areas
Smoking may be permitted on University land, but is not permitted inside University buildings and is discouraged near entrances and exits. Where smoking is permitted on land owned by the University, receptacles will be provided for the disposal of waste smoking materials and must be used at all times. Staff, students and visitors are only permitted to smoke in unenclosed designated areas.
Smoking Breaks
Staff who wish to smoke during the working day may do so during normal work breaks, in accordance with local arrangements.
Students and Visitors
Staff members are expected to inform temporary staff, students and visitors, including contractors and deliverers, of this policy. However they are not expected to enter into any confrontation that may put their personal safety at risk.
Support for Smokers
Comprehensive advice and support on giving up smoking can be found at:
- http://www.nhs.uk/smokefree
- https://www.facebook.com/NHSSmokefree.
- Call the free Smokefree National Helpline to speak to a trained, expert adviser on 0300 123 1044. All lines are open Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm and Saturday and Sunday 11am to 4pm*.
- Alternatively contact your local NHS stop smoking advisers via the following link: http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/smoking/Pages/NHS-stop-smoking-adviser.aspx
Informing Staff of the Policy
University level induction sessions will refer to the smokefree policy and the reasons for it, and staff responsible for local induction programmes are encouraged to refer to the smokefree policy.
Signs will be placed at all entrances and at selected places within all buildings.
Recruitment Procedures
Further particulars of a vacancy will include reference to this policy.
Non-Compliance
It is expected that all staff will comply with this policy. Any infringement of these rules by an employee may result in disciplinary action being taken against them.
In the event of a breach of the policy by a student or visitor they should be asked to extinguish all smoking materials and be informed of the availability of external smoking areas, in a manner in accordance with local arrangements. If they continue to smoke, the matter should be referred to the appropriate manager or security staff. If students refuse to comply with this policy, their College will be informed in the first instance. Visitors will be asked to stop smoking and if they refuse to comply with this policy will be asked to leave the building.
Implementation
Responsibility for implementing and monitoring this policy rests with Heads of Institutions. All staff are obliged to adhere to and facilitate the implementation of the policy.
Review
This policy will be reviewed every three years.