Create a smoke-free workplace

A smoke-free workplace is not only good for the health of individual employees, but also for the work environment as a whole. It is a step toward a healthier and more productive workplace.

“Smoke-free work hours create a healthier work environment. They protect employees from secondhand smoke and support those who want to quit smoking. Smoke-free work hours also help ensure that new employees and young people do not start smoking at work.” 

Source: https://www.cancer.dk/forebyg-kraeft/tobak-og-nikotin/roegfri-arbejdstid/hvad-betyder-det/

But how can colleagues, management, and the workplace as a whole work together to create and maintain a smoke-free culture? We’ll explore that below.

The Role of Management

Management plays a key role in establishing a smoke-free workplace. It starts with formulating a clear policy on smoking in the workplace. The Danish Cancer Society recommends that smoke-free work hours apply to all tobacco-related products, including anything containing tobacco and nicotine, as well as e-cigarettes.

This policy should include guidelines regarding smoking in and around work buildings and should, of course, apply to everyone in the workplace. Management should also take a visible role in communicating the policy and actively support it.

Peer support

By implementing smoke-free work hours, you can help create a culture where tobacco products, snus, and similar items are not part of daily routines. In this context, support from colleagues can be crucial to the success of a smoke-free workplace.

Colleagues can support one another by encouraging smoke-free breaks together, sharing experiences with quitting smoking, and creating a positive environment for those who want to quit. It’s about showing understanding and support for each other’s choices and challenges.

Offer of smoking cessation services

The workplace can offer smoking cessation programs and initiatives to employees who wish to begin their journey toward a smoke-free future. This may include access to smoking cessation courses, individual counseling, or support from healthcare professionals. By making these resources easily accessible, the workplace demonstrates its commitment to employee health and well-being.

Quitting smoking can also be part of a broader initiative focused on employee health—for example, by incorporating health weeks or themes into an annual calendar. This can be part of corporate fitness programs, exercise weeks, and more. At Acture, we have over 20 years of experience in tailoring the exact health promotion initiatives your workplace needs.

We now also offer smoking cessation courses for businesses—learn more via the link below:

Smoking and Nicotine Cessation Courses

Smoking increases the risk of a wide range of health complications and is one of the five factors that have the greatest impact on our health. By implementing a smoke-free workplace, you can help employees who want to quit smoking and using nicotine products. This can be a direct way to improve workplace health and ensure that new employees do not start using these products.