Information for Worksites

Now that all of Ohio’s workplaces must be smokefree, business owners and human resource departments may be wondering how they can make the transition as easy as possible for them and for their employees.

Even though all of your employees and visitors know about the law and that they cannot smoke inside your buildings, it is still a good idea to have a policy for your business that outlines the specifics of where people can and cannot smoke, or if you like, where they cannot use any form of tobacco.

We have provided the following information to help with these issues:

• Q&A  to help you understand the new law, how it will be enforced and what your responsibilities are under the law. There are many benefits of a smoke-free workplace.

• Benefits Summary  from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office on Smoking and Health, along with the Wellness Councils of America and the American Cancer Society.

• Costs  to business of smoking and what you can do to help your employees and your bottom line.

• Two sample policies are available here to help you begin developing your policy. One model policy is for indoor restrictions  on smoking (or tobacco use). The other policy is for campus-wide restrictions.  Many businesses are making their entire property smoke- or tobacco-free.

To help your employees who smoke or use other forms of tobacco make the transition to a smoke-free workplace, it makes business sense to help them quit. Not only will productivity increase, but your health and other insurance premiums will go down when tobacco users quit.