No Smoking

HUNTER AREA HEALTH SERVICE POLICY SUBJECT:

SMOKE FREE WORKPLACE

POLICY NUMBER: DATE OF POLICY: LAST REVISION:

01/10 June 2001 June 2003

POLICY AIM/OBJECTIVES: Reduce the harm associated with tobacco use amongst staff, patients, visitors and the community, especially exposure to passive smoking Provide a clear and consistent message to staff, patients, visitors and the community about the hazards of smoking Provide a clear and consistent message to staff, patients, visitors and the community that smoking is not a healthy activity, and Provide leadership in the community about reducing the harm associated with smoking. 1. Background Hunter Health is the major public health provider for the Hunter and Northern New South Wales and is the largest employer in the Hunter Region. Hunter Health is committed to improving the health, safety and welfare of all persons using its facilities and services. Medical evidence has confirmed that tobacco smoking is detrimental to health by causing disease and ill health. Tobacco smoking is the single largest preventable cause of disease and death in Australia. The health effects include lung cancer, bronchitis, emphysema, laryngeal cancer, soft tissue lesions of the lip and mouth and cardiovascular disease. Medical evidence has also highlighted the risks associated with the inhalation of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) or passive smoking. Research has identified short term effects of passive smoking include eye irritation, coughing, headaches and reduced lung function in asthmatic non smokers. Long term effects of passive smoking include lung cancer, pneumonia, increased risk of lung damage in non smokers, increased serious respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis and pneumonia in children whose parents are smokers, slower lung growth and poorer lung function in young children whose parents smoke and coronary heart disease. Hunter Health has implemented a Smoke Free Workplace Policy, which aims to: Reduce the harm associated with tobacco use amongst staff, patients, visitors and the community, especially exposure to passive smoking 00/10 – Smoke Free Workplace

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Provide a clear and consistent message to staff, patients, visitors and the community about the hazards of smoking Provide a clear and consistent message to staff, patients, visitors and the community that smoking is not a healthy activity, and Provide leadership in the community about reducing the harm associated with smoking. It is recognised that some exemptions to the policy are currently required, however, it is envisaged that ultimately the whole of Hunter Health will be smoke free. This will be implemented in the following stages: Phase 1 Phase 2. Phase 3

From June 1, 2001 smoking will not be permitted anywhere except in a designated outdoor smoking area. From September, 2001 a review of the policy and any designated outdoor smoking areas will be conducted in preparation for totally smoke free facilities and campuses. Once agreement with HAREA and the NSW Nurses’ Association is reached all Hunter Health facilities, campuses and vehicles will be totally smoke free (pending the outcome of the review undertaken in the previous phase).

2. Policy Statement As of June 1, 2001 smoking is not permitted on any property controlled by Hunter Health, unless an exemption has been granted for a designated smoking area. 2.1

Smoking is not permitted inside any building, inside any vehicle or on any grounds controlled by Hunter Health.

2.2

Smoking cessation support will be offered to staff and includes: a 24hr Quit line to help staff stop smoking; staff health nurses throughout the area will be able to provide Quit information; and one-on-one counselling sessions with drug and alcohol counsellors are available through Lowrey Lodge or group counselling sessions can be arranged at individual facilities.

2.3

Where appropriate to clinical needs smoking cessation support will be offered to patients, which may include provision of Nicotine Replacement Therapies.

2.4

Contracts of employment, job descriptions and job advertisements will include statements about the Smoke Free Workplace policy.

2.5

Signs will be erected, notifying staff and the public of each facility’s smoke free status. This will include signage with directions to any designated outdoor smoking areas.

2.6

Appropriate disposal bins will be installed to ensure proper disposal of cigarette waste.

2.7

Training programs for supervisors, security and other interested staff will be provided.

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3. Breaches of Policy There is wide support for the aims of this policy and the vast majority of staff will be readily able to comply. It is however, acknowledged that some individuals will encounter a period during which they may find it difficult to cease smoking during working hours. Hunter Health and its managers will offer support and assistance to any staff member experiencing such a difficulty. In recognition of the effort that will be required by these individuals, initial breaches of this policy are to be treated in a way that acknowledges efforts being made by the employee and encourages them to achieve the desired change in behaviour. Only when there is evidence that the employee is not endeavouring to meet the requirements of this policy or when the continuous efforts to encourage the employee have proven fruitless, will disciplinary processes be initiated. In these cases normal disciplinary guidelines will apply (see Hunter Health’s Personnel Policy and Procedures Manual; 8.3 DISCIPLINE GUIDELINES) 4. Grievances Grievances about the policy or actions in association with the policy should be handled in accordance with Hunter Health guidelines. Where issues arise in relation to the implementation of this policy at specific sites, and these issues require consultation with Industrial Associations, such consultation should be occur (in the first instance) through the local Joint Consultative Committee. 5. Contact Person Please contact your unit/department manager should you wish to: Discuss the Smoke Free Workplace Policy Obtain information about Quit programs Talk to someone about difficulties you are encountering with the implementation of the policy Lodge a grievance regarding the Smoke Free Workplace Policy. RELATED LEGISLATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CIRCULARS, AREA POLICIES: NSW Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983 NSW Department of Health Circular 99/76 – NSW Health Department 1999 Smoke Free Workplace Policy DISTRIBUTION: All Hunter Health Units.

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REVIEW: Three years (2006) AREA EXECUTIVE RESPONSIBLE FOR POLICY MONITORING AND REVIEW: Director, Human Resources POLICY APPROVAL: Area Executive – July 2003

[JUNE 2003]

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