| In Australia, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States, non-smokers have successfully sued their employers for compensation for harm to their health caused by smoking at work. |
There is now clear evidence that passive smoking (breathing other people’s tobacco smoke) is harmful to the health of smokers and non-smokers.
A non-smoker sharing an office with a smoker could inhale the equivalent of up to five cigarettes a day in smoke. This has thus warranted restrictive laws in the public’s interest and this requires (name of the company) to have a written policy on smoking in the workplace. As an employer, (company) has a duty under the Tobacco Products Control Amendment Act (Act no. 12 of 1999), to ensure that employees who do not want to be exposed to tobacco smoke in the workplace are protected from tobacco smoke. The (name of the company) should provide a safe working environment and protect the health of all employees from illness and inquiry arising from the workplace. Consequently, in the interests of the health and safety of all our employees, (company) will move towards a smoke-free work environment.
Smoking will be prohibited within all company buildings, except in the designated smoking area. This smoke-free workplace policy will apply to all staff, clients and visitors. Staff may only continue to smoke in the designated smoking area (list location), which has to comply with the requirements of the law, and should display clear signs indicating that it is a designated smoking area.
It is recognized that, while this initiative will provide a positive benefit to all staff, some staff members may have difficulty in adjusting, particularly those whose smoking habit is a long-standing one. It should be noted that smokers are being asked to resist their smoking in the workplace rather than stop smoking altogether. The law makes provision for designated smoking areas provided it does not allow smoke to enter into non-smoking areas. In an effort to assist individuals to adjust to this change the following help is provided: (list the support).
While all efforts will be made to help individuals meet the requirements of this policy, it must be noted that this smoke-free policy now forms part of the health and safety policy of (name of company). Any breach of this policy will lead to a further fine of R200 as imposed by law.
Employers wishing to discuss any aspect of this policy are invited to contact (name).
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