Tobacco-Free Workplace

Maintain a comprehensive tobacco-free workplace policy

The tobacco-free policy must apply to the entire workplace – both indoors and outdoors and must apply to all US-based employees, temporary workers, contractors and visitors. Gold Standard employers may not have any designated areas for the use of any form of tobacco.

Sample tobacco-free workplace policy

Sample tobacco-free enforcement language

Forms of tobacco and smokeless tobacco

Cigarettes, Cigars, Pipes
Smokeless tobacco, also called chewing tobacco, oral tobacco, spit or spitting tobacco, dip, chew, snuff, snus, twist, plug, and dissolvable tobacco products
Electronic cigarettes, also called “e-cigarettes,” or “Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems” (ENDS)

Best Practices

Tobacco Free Worksites

Tobacco Free Worksites

BD's purpose is "advancing the world of health" and we are committed to providing a tobacco free work environment to support the health and vitality of our associates. Since 2011, BD has embraced the "Five Pillars" of the Gold Standard and is proud to provide a tobacco-free worksite for all US associates. As part of that commitment, we are excited to announce that in November 2016, we transitioned all 17 US CareFusion worksites to a tobacco-free work environment. (CareFusion was acquired by BD in March of 2015.)

All "designated...

Articles of Interest

Two Years After The Ban: How CVS Continues To Take On Tobacco

MchPerson, Susan

Forbes

Texas A&M to implement tobacco-free campus policy in January

Rodriguez, Megan

The Eagle

Research & Evidence

Position Statement on Tobacco on College and University Campuses

American College Health Association

The Health Consequences of Smoking—50 Years of Progress. A Report of the Surgeon General.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health

Frequently Asked Questions

Pillar 1: Tobacco-Free Workplace

Why do e-cigarettes have to be prohibited within a tobacco-free workplace policy?

We’ve taken a strong stance on e-cigarettes as part of our tobacco-free workplace requirements for Gold Standard employers. E-cigarettes are flavored vaporizing devices that provide nicotine dosing, which means they can lead to nicotine addiction. Despite the fact that they do not contain tobacco, and the adverse health effects of e-cigarettes are not yet proven (unlike the well-documented adverse health effects of tobacco products), they are explicitly not permitted at Gold Standard workplaces for a number of reasons:

Some people argue that e-cigarettes may be effective in helping people stop smoking tobacco products. However, they are not regulated by the FDA, are often produced outside the U.S., and they contain a range of additional substances that are being studied for toxicity for their users and for others nearby. Therefore, e-cigarettes are not proven to be safe as a tobacco-cessation aid.
E-cigarette manufacturers are aggressively marketing these products, and there is significant concern that e-cigarettes could make smoking overall more socially acceptable as well as serving as an introduction to smoking regular cigarettes.
Other Electronic Nicotine Delivery Devices (ENDs) are now entering the marketplace as well, and all of those devices are also prohibited at Gold Standard workplaces. Other ENDs may not look like electronic cigarettes, but they similarly deliver nicotine into the user.

Why do e-cigarettes have to be prohibited within a tobacco-free workplace policy?

Some people argue that e-cigarettes may be effective in helping people stop smoking tobacco products. However, they are not regulated by the FDA, are often produced outside the U.S., and they contain a range of additional substances that are being studied for toxicity for their users and for others nearby. Therefore, e-cigarettes are not proven to be safe as a tobacco-cessation aid.
E-cigarette manufacturers are aggressively marketing these products, and there is significant concern that e-cigarettes could make smoking overall more socially acceptable as well as serving as an introduction to smoking regular cigarettes.
Other Electronic Nicotine Delivery Devices (ENDs) are now entering the marketplace as well, and all of those devices are also prohibited at Gold Standard workplaces. Other ENDs may not look like electronic cigarettes, but they similarly deliver nicotine into the user.

Does the tobacco-free workplace policy have to apply to all employees?

Yes, it must apply to all US-based employees, at all sites and facilities, whether they are owned, leased or shared. All current employees should be notified of the tobacco-free policy, and prospective employees should be made aware of the tobacco-free policy during the job interview process. Temporary/ contract personnel as well as visitors to company sites should also be informed of the tobacco-free policy. Gold Standard organizations promote an integrated, positive message, incorporating the notion that “we care about your health” and “here are the programs and support we’re offering to help you stop using tobacco”.

Brochures/Reference

Best Practices for Comprehensive Tobacco Control Programs

Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of disease, disability, and death in the United States. Nearly one-half million Americans still die prematurely from tobacco use each year, and more than 16 million Americans suffer from a disease caused by smoking. Despite these risks, approximately 42.1 million U.S. adults currently smoke cigarettes. And the harmful effects of smoking do not end with the smoker. Secondhand smoke exposure causes serious disease and death, and even brief exposure can be harmful to health. Each year, primarily because of exposure to secondhand smoke, an estimated 7,330 nonsmoking Americans die of lung cancer and more than 33,900 die of heart disease. Coupled with this enormous health toll is the significant economic burden. Economic costs attributable to smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke now approach $300 billion annually.

State of Colorado Executive Order B 2018 011

Amending Executive Order D 0036 90 Regarding Smoking in State Buildings and Further Directing State Agencies to Take Action to Limit the Use of Tobacco Products, Vaping
Products, and E-Cigarettes by Youth

State of Oklahoma Executive Order 2012-01

Executive Order prohibits the use of any tobacco product on any and all properties owned, leased or contracted for use by the State of Oklahoma, including but not limited to all buildings, land and vehicles owned, leased or contracted for use by agencies or instrumentalities of the State of Oklahoma. The goal of this Executive Order isto provide for a healthier work environment, encourage healthier lifestyle choices for state employees and protect visitors to state property.

State of Oklahoma Executive Order 2013-43

Executive Order prohibiting the use of electronic cigarette or vaping device on any and all properties owned, leased or contracted for use by the State of Oklahoma, including but not limited to all buildings, land and vehicles owned, leased or contracted for use by agencies or instrumentalities of the State of Oklahoma.

Tobacco-Free Campus Implementation Guide

Tobacco-Free Campus Policy Implementation Guide

A resource designed to help college students adopt and implement a 100% tobacco-free campus policy

External Resources

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Peers Against Tobacco

Welcome to Peers Against Tobacco: a peer-led initiative to eradicate tobacco use on college campuses across Texas. We’re here to help you educate your fellow students about the dangers of all forms of tobacco use.

Tobacco Free Colleges and Universities

American Lung Association

Tobacco-free policies are a growing trend on college campuses across the United States. Today there are approximately 477 colleges and universities that are 100% tobacco-free, and more join the list every year! This list originated with the American Lung Association in Oregon, and has now gone national.

Toolkits & Guides for Tobacco-Free College Campuses

Tobacco Free College Campus Initiative

The goal of this toolkit is to provide you with the resources and tools to help you institute a successful tobacco- or smoke-free campus policy; in other words, to make the changes you want to see on your campus.

Smoke-free & Tobacco-free Places

Public Health Law Center

This section explores policy options for employees to make their workplace smokefree and legal options for employees who remain exposed to secondhand smoke on the job.

Introduction to Tobacco in Rural Communities

Additional Resources

This module highlights the demographics of tobacco use in rural areas along with populations that may benefit from successful tobacco cessation efforts.

For general information on what to consider as you start your program, see Creating a Program: Where to Begin in the Rural Community Health Toolkit.

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Tobacco-Free Workplace

Maintain a comprehensive tobacco-free workplace policy

Pillar 1: Tobacco-Free Workplace

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