Passive smoking at work
Why be concerned about smoking at work?
Nowadays fewer people are smokers and attitudes to smoking are changing. Smokers are a minority in many workplaces. People have become more aware of the serious health risks faced by smokers themselves. There is increasing concern over the possible health effects of breathing other people's tobacco smoke. Work is one of a few situations where non-smokers may have to spend long periods in close contact with smokers.
What is passive smoking?
When smokers and non-smokers share the same room, non-smokers cannot avoid inhaling some environmental tobacco smoke as they breathe. This is called `passive' smoking. The smoke concerned is mainly 'sidestream' smoke from burning cigarettes, cigars or pipe tobacco but there is also some smoke exhaled by smokers.
What practical steps can be taken to protect non-smokers?
Employers should consider how to limit passive smoking at work. There are various methods of preventing or limiting exposure to smoke. Every workplace is different, and there is no universal solution. Full in-depth consultation with employees and/or their representatives is highly desirable for the smooth implementation of policies designed to limit exposure to tobacco smoke. A policy is very much more likely to be accepted by all employees if they feel they have been properly consulted. It is important to take time and make sure that details of restrictions on smoking are worked out and agreed between management and employees, and if necessary arrange a transitional period or a step by step approach. Effective policies may include one or more of the following elements:
- improving ventilation so that smoke is more effectively removed from the working environment;
- segregating smokers, and non-smokers in separate rooms where possible;
- letting employees in each working area decide whether smoking should be allowed there;
- discouraging or banning smoking in common areas such as reception, corridors, lifts, open plan work areas, conference rooms, all or parts of canteens, etc;
- banning smoking in all parts of the premises except in areas designated as smoking areas;
- restricting smoking (either throughout the workplace or in common areas) to certain times of day;
- agreeing a total ban on indoor smoking;
- encouragement and help for smokers who wish to give up smoking, including advice on counselling.
Wouldn't it be best to impose a total ban on smoking at work?
In some situations a complete ban is justified for safety reasons. But elsewhere the imposition, by management without proper consultation, of any measures to control passive smoking could lead to resentment among smokers and problems in enforcing the no-smoking rule.
What about safety hazards from smoking at work, and health risks for smokers?
This booklet does not deal with the well-recognised safety hazards from smoking where there is a risk of fire or explosion. Nor does it discuss the health hazards to individuals who smoke, particularly while working with substances such as lead or asbestos. Such hazards are covered by published guidance on each subject.
How can passive smoking be a danger to health?
It is now beyond doubt that smoking is a major cause of disease and premature death for smokers themselves. Tobacco smoke contains various substances that can cause cancer or other health problems. Raised levels of airborne harmful substances are found when smokers' homes are compared with those of non-smokers. Still higher levels may occur in poorly ventilated indoor places of work where several people are smokers.
What is the evidence?
There have been many scientific studies on passive smoking. The results of this research were reviewed by the Independent Scientific Committee on Smoking and Health in their Fourth Report. {FOURTH REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON SMOKING AND HEALTH March 1988. Obtainable from HMSO, price o5.70. ISBN 0 11 321131 7} The Committee concluded that "while none of the studies can on its own be accepted as unequivocal the findings overall are consistent with there being a small increase in the risk of lung cancer from exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, in the range of 10% - 30%".
Is there a serious hazard?
A 10% to 30% increase in risk does not imply that a large proportion of non-smokers exposed to tobacco smoke will develop lung cancer; it represents just a small increase in the normally very small risk of lung cancer among non-smokers. It means that a person who has never smoked but has been exposed to other people's tobacco smoke through most of his or her life has a 10% to 30% higher risk of lung cancer than a non-smoker not so exposed. If the risk of contracting lung cancer in a year for `unexposed' non-smokers is, say, 10 per 100 000, the risk for `exposed' non-smokers would be 11 to 13 in 100 000. In other words there might be 1 to 3 extra cases of lung cancer a year for every 100 000 non-smokers who are exposed throughout life to other people's smoke. It is not known which lung cancer deaths result from this. However, as a rough estimate, passive smoking may be causing several hundred out of the current annual total of about 40 000 lung cancer deaths in the United Kingdom. It is not possible to estimate how many of the total deaths caused by passive smoking are from passive smoking at work.
What about people who already have respiratory diseases?
It has been recognised for some time that exposure to tobacco smoke can cause discomfort and irritation to some people, particularly those who already have a respiratory disorder such as asthma. Passive smoking may cause more distress to this group than it does to most non-smokers.
Is there a greater risk for women who are pregnant?
There is strong evidence that women who themselves smoke during pregnancy place their baby at risk. The effects of passive smoking on unborn babies are less clear; the risk is smaller but some damage may be done. To be on the safe side, pregnant women should avoid as far as possible exposure to other people's tobacco smoke.
What are the benefits to employers of taking steps to limit passive smoking?
Limiting or preventing smoking by an agreed and carefully implemented policy may improve employee morale, reduce arguments between smokers and non-smokers, reduce time lost through sickness, and diminish cleaning bills. It will reduce fire risk.
Where can more detailed advice be obtained?
If you have access to any source of occupational health advice, this should be able to give information on smoking and health including the best policies to adopt to control smoking in a particular workplace.
The Employment Medical Advisory Service advises employers, employees and others on all aspects of occupational health. Employment Medical Advisers are willing to give advice on health problems that may be caused by smoking in the workplace, and methods of prevention. They can be contacted through local or Area Offices of the Health and Safety Executive (see telephone directory).
The Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) can advise on the employment and industrial relations implications of policies on smoking at work. They can be contacted through their regional offices (see telephone directory).
Trade unions and trade associations are often able to advise on passive smoking at work as it affects their members.
The District Health Authority or local health education unit of the local authority may be able to offer advice on passive smoking at work.
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