I work for a very well known healthcare company, and we are forced to go to the "offsite" smoking area. (ie. a gazebo placed near the dumpsters in the back parking lot) We were sent a "policy reminder" email yesterday that stated:
_________________________________________
It is ************ policy to provide a workplace that is free of all tobacco use. All employees, contractors, vendors, and visitors are prohibited from using tobacco, including all smokeless tobacco products, on *********** premises.
Smoking is only prohibited in the designated smoking area which is located beyond the dumpsters in the back and past the bus stop in the front. Please remember smoking is not permitted within 15 feet of any dumpsters and cigarettes should not be placed in or on the dumpsters.
We are committed to helping people to live healthier lives. This tobacco-free policy furthers that commitment to our employees and all others who we interact with on our premises.
_______________________________________________
I spoke directly to our facilities manager this morning in regards to this. (she is who sent the email, and bolded the one line) and learned that what prompted it was someone vaping in the cafe while they were eating, around others. This is just dumb, but it did start a good conversation between she and I. She has never smoked, never really been around anyone who vapes, and she was under the impression that is was basically liquified tobacco we were using. I gave her a good lesson about vaping, the health benefits of it, and so forth.
I would never expect for us to be allowed to vape indoors, but I hope we can go elsewhere besides where the smokers, and the bags of trash go. We have picnic tables on the side of the buidling that would be fine.
She told me that if I were to gather some information, type it up, along with a justified reasoning and personal letter of why I (we) would benefit from that, she will gladly pass it along to corporate to have the policy (hopefully) revised. The statement included in our policy "We are committed to helping people to live healthier lives." should help prove our point.
I have researched and researched and read all the documentation out there about the second hand effect studies available, etc etc. I am now wondering if anyone has taken this task on before and has a sample letter that is somewhat condensed with everything needed that is presentable. If so, please pass it along, or a link to one somewhere, or any help. If I can't find one, I will compile one myself, and maybe the mods can work on getting it placed in the stickies so that others may benefit at their workplace as well.
Thanks in advance for any help!!
_________________________________________
It is ************ policy to provide a workplace that is free of all tobacco use. All employees, contractors, vendors, and visitors are prohibited from using tobacco, including all smokeless tobacco products, on *********** premises.
Smoking is only prohibited in the designated smoking area which is located beyond the dumpsters in the back and past the bus stop in the front. Please remember smoking is not permitted within 15 feet of any dumpsters and cigarettes should not be placed in or on the dumpsters.
We are committed to helping people to live healthier lives. This tobacco-free policy furthers that commitment to our employees and all others who we interact with on our premises.
_______________________________________________
I spoke directly to our facilities manager this morning in regards to this. (she is who sent the email, and bolded the one line) and learned that what prompted it was someone vaping in the cafe while they were eating, around others. This is just dumb, but it did start a good conversation between she and I. She has never smoked, never really been around anyone who vapes, and she was under the impression that is was basically liquified tobacco we were using. I gave her a good lesson about vaping, the health benefits of it, and so forth.
I would never expect for us to be allowed to vape indoors, but I hope we can go elsewhere besides where the smokers, and the bags of trash go. We have picnic tables on the side of the buidling that would be fine.
She told me that if I were to gather some information, type it up, along with a justified reasoning and personal letter of why I (we) would benefit from that, she will gladly pass it along to corporate to have the policy (hopefully) revised. The statement included in our policy "We are committed to helping people to live healthier lives." should help prove our point.
I have researched and researched and read all the documentation out there about the second hand effect studies available, etc etc. I am now wondering if anyone has taken this task on before and has a sample letter that is somewhat condensed with everything needed that is presentable. If so, please pass it along, or a link to one somewhere, or any help. If I can't find one, I will compile one myself, and maybe the mods can work on getting it placed in the stickies so that others may benefit at their workplace as well.
Thanks in advance for any help!!