Announce and Manage the Tobacco-Free Policy

Formally announce the policy to all employees and prepare for implementation. Suggested actions include the following:

• Announce the policy and cessation support by using your company's standard communication channels. It is important to demonstrate that management fully supports the policy (e.g., the announcement should come from the chief executive officer or appropriate senior officer).
• Announce a timeline for implementing the tobacco policy and cessation activities. The announcement should be made in advance of the policy's effective date to allow tobacco users to prepare for changes and to permit any facility or material changes that might be necessary such as removal of cigarette vending machines, placement of outdoor ashtrays and “Smoke-free Area/Thank You for Not Smoking” signs and necessary ventilation modifications.
• Offer smoking cessation support at the same time as the advance announcement of the pending policy change as well as before and after the effective date. Strong restrictions on smoking may encourage smokers to think about quitting.
• Obtain signs that communicate a positive “smoke-free” message.
• Offer to answer employee questions and invite comment about the policy and cessation activities.
• On the effective date of the policy, you should have signs in place, facility changes complete and smoking cessation and smoker support ready.

Take advantage of the time between the announcement and the policy effective date to anticipate issues that may arise and work to resolve them.

< Back to the Guide to a Tobacco-free Workplace