Smoking is the primary cause of premature, avoidable death and disease in Ontario killing 13,000 Ontarians each year – one person almost every 40 minutes. Annually up to 7,800 non-smokers lose their lives because of second-hand smoke (Ontario Tobacco Research Unit, 2007). Two thirds of smoke from a cigarette is not inhaled by the smoker, but enters the air around the smoker. This is problematic as second-hand smoke has over 4,000 chemicals; many of them causing cancer. Workplaces that promote smoking cessation and protect non-smokers from exposure to second-hand smoke can have a huge impact on employee health and associated business costs such as absenteeism, disability, lost time, insurance and disability.
An effective comprehensive Tobacco-Free Living program will include the four health promotion strategies. Explore each strategy and develop an action plan utilizing components from each strategy. The four health promotion strategies are:
The following sections provide details on how to build a workplace program for each of the four health promotion strategies:
Awareness Building
Most smokers are not happy about smoking and the majority (70%) would like to quit. Almost half of all smokers will make a quit attempt in any given year (Health Canada, CTUMS, 2008). Tobacco is a highly treatable addiction and the benefits of quit smoking programs far outweigh the challenges and costs that may be encountered. Creating awareness about the hazards of tobacco-use and availability of company cessation supports will assist staff who smoke to consider quitting and enable non-smokers to be supportive.
Posters, access to printed materials, e-blasts, wellness campaigns, contests and displays are good ways to start building awareness that smoking is an addiction that can be beat and that quitting is important because smoke negatively affects everyone's health.
We provide:
- Information on how to quit, supports available to help with quitting, how to help a smoker quit, risk factors, effects of second-hand smoke on adults and children
- Consultation and support to develop a comprehensive smoke-free strategy for the workplace; developing and implementing a needs assessment, key messages for a communications plan, and program evaluation
- The Good business…better health workplace guide is a step-by-step relevant, practical resource for workplaces to achieve a successful smoking-cessation strategy.
Relevant websites and sources for printed resources:
The Canadian Cancer Society-Quitting Smoking - Provides online information and printed publications in multiple languages on the risk factors of smoking, and tips for quitting. Also provides information on how to access Smokers' Helpline (posters available).
Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada - Provides fact sheets on many tobacco related topics including: the health effects of smoking, the tobacco industry, quitting and the effects of smoking on the economy.
The Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport: Smoke-Free Ontario Act – Provides an overview of Ontario's legislation and an information sheet on how the Act affects employers and employees.
Ontario Lung Association – provides information on smoking and health facts for Ontario.
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Education and Skill Building
Any type of behaviour change can be challenging especially when it is accompanied by a physical addiction to nicotine. Building skills is an important next step. Self confidence, the ability to access helpful information, and a sense of control and choice are important for those attempting to quit smoking.
Supporting campaigns, conducting workshops and hosting contests in your workplace will assist staff to learn from experience and build networks to support healthier lifestyle choices. Providing readily available self-help materials is an easy way to assist smokers in their efforts to quit.
We provide:
- Assistance to facilitate training on how to provide simple and effective advice to smokers
- Assistance to establish a group cessation program and/or networking opportunities
- Promotional materials for provincial initiatives such as Driven to Quit challenge or toolkits for a workplace challenge
Ideas for skill building:
- Support and advertise the annual Driven to Quit Challenge for Ontario residents
- Health fairs with interactive elements such as the Workplace "Quit for a Day" Challenge
- Email bulletins and links to self help materials on the intranet
- Using positive messages through posters such as "8 tips to quit" or the "healing timeline"
- Activities that incorporate peer networks for support
- Lunch n Learn sessions for employees offered from Smokers' Helpline
- Look for opportunities to incorporate tobacco messaging into other wellness initiatives
Relevant websites and sources for printed resources:
Health Canada (2007) - On the Road to Quitting: Guide to becoming a non-smoker - A guide to help smokers prepare and take action to successfully quit smoking
Health Canada – Go Smoke Free! - Provides information on tobacco control in Canada, tips on how to quit, advice for staying smoke-free.
Lung Association - Get on Track - Quit strategies, facts about smoking, second-hand smoke, print resources, self-help guide
Smokers' Helpline Online - An interactive, web-based service offering tips, tools and support to help with quitting smoking or other tobacco use.
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Environmental Support
Creating an environment that supports tobacco-free living will help encourage smokers to quit and makes lifestyle changes easier. Non-smoking employees provided the opportunity for education and skill building will also become a source of environmental support for those wanting to quit smoking.
The Smoke-Free Ontario Act prohibits smoking in an enclosed workplace including vehicles provided for work purposes.
We provide:
- Consultation and support to implement a comprehensive smoke-free strategy including environmental supports for smoking cessation and protection for all employees in all work settings
- Standard no-smoking sign graphic
Environmental supports may include:
- Activities during breaks to provide healthier alternatives to smoking
- Access to facilities for group cessation activities
- Cessation supports such as counselling, prescription medications, nicotine replacement therapy and employee assistance programs covered through the company's benefit plan
- Appropriate and visible "no-smoking" signs at all entrances, exits, washrooms and locations where smoking is prohibited and removal of ashtrays at the workplace
Relevant websites and sources for printed resources:
Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion – Smoke-Free Ontario - Provides information and resources on Ontario's Smoke-Free Strategy
Health Canada - Smoking Cessation in the Workplace: a guide to helping your employees quit smoking - The guide assists workplaces to implement a smoking cessation program.
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Policy and Guideline Development
The Smoke-Free Ontario Act (SFOA) prohibits smoking in enclosed workplaces as well as enclosed public places, but more can be done to protect employees. Second-hand smoke exposure is a significant health threat whenever smoking occurs outside entrances, exits and near fresh air vents for heating and cooling systems.
Company policy that goes beyond the SFOA to prohibit smoking anywhere on workplace property, can be a catalyst for employees who are considering quitting. It also protects non-smoking employees who may be exposed to second-hand smoke during outdoor lunch breaks or by simply exiting the building.. Coupled with education and environmental supports, clear workplace policies make good business sense and create a supportive setting for employees who want to quit smoking.
We provide:
- Consultation and support to develop smoke-free policies that extends beyond current SFOA legislation. For example, a workplace may choose to develop a policy prohibiting smoking anywhere on workplace property, or within X feet from doors and windows
- Sample policies and templates in the Good business…better health workplace guide
Relevant websites and sources for printed resources:
Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion –Smoke-Free Ontario Legislation - Provides information and resources on the Smoke-Free Ontario Act (SFOA), and other tobacco regulations
Health Canada (2007) - Towards a Healthier Workplace: A Guidebook on Tobacco Control Policies - Provides an overview on workplace tobacco policies and how to gain the support and commitment in your workplace to develop such policies
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Consult with a York Region Wellness representative to discuss the development of a wellness program that best suits your organizational needs.
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