Tobacco Policies

Local organizations and businesses play a key role in supporting the health and wellness of their employees, clients, customers and families in our community. There are many ways that this can be achieved that have no cost, and in fact will save the company money over time. Establishing a tobacco-free environment at your worksite is an effective and important way to support and promote employee health that has great benefits for the organization.

Maine’s workplace smoking law, 22 M.R.S.A. § 1580-A, requires that all employers have and post a written workplace policy related to smoking. The policy must document compliance with Maine State law regarding worksite smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke. Under the law, no smoking is allowed indoors in areas where employees are doing work. A designated smoking area is allowed, but if it is indoors it must be enclosed and mechanically ventilated, and it cannot be in a common area such as a lunch room, break room, or rest room. It must keep smoke from going into the work area or into areas where the public is allowed. Smoking policies must include vehicles used in the course of work. Employers may ban smoking entirely. The law only addresses smoking, not the use of other tobacco. (The American Lung Association of Maine is a good resource for summaries of the Maine Tobacco Control Laws). Go to: Maine Lung Association.

Healthy Horizons encourages worksites and businesses to go beyond Maine law by creating and enforcing stricter tobacco policies, for the following reasons:

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tobacco-free work environments

The Bronze, Silver, and Gold Tobacco-Free Standards of Excellence have been developed for use by employers to write or revise a current policy. These standards can help establish a well-rounded tobacco-free policy that your organization can build upon. Along with the standards, we offer The Partnership For A Tobacco-Free Maine’s “Good Work! Creating A Smoke-Free Workplace” kit. This includes information on writing a policy (including samples), making it work, getting the message out, supporting employees who want to quit using tobacco, and free policy signs and decals.

Healthy Horizons is available to provide technical assistance, additional information, other policy samples and other resources such as tobacco cessation materials upon request. Fill out the request form or give us a call at 873-0686. We can also put you in touch with a representative of one of several local organizations that have a tobacco-free policy in place and can answer questions based on their experiences implementing their policies.

The Bronze, Silver, and Gold Tobacco-Free Standards of Excellence can be used to strengthen your existing policy. A Healthy Horizons staff person can meet with you and your management staff to review your policy and help you decide on which areas to work. Fill out the request form in this packet or give us a call at 873-0686. You may also be able to clearly identify an area of need by reviewing the standards with your board, advisory committee or management staff.

Once you have implemented or updated your tobacco-free policy, provide Healthy Horizons with a copy. If the policy meets the standards, Gold, Silver or Bronze, your organization will:

" Have a press release sent on your behalf to up to three local newspapers of your choice

" Be able to include the Certification in a range of your materials, such as grant applications and reports to funders and community members

Print and complete the following and submit to: Healthy Horizons, 45 Armory Rd., PO Box 91, Waterville, ME 04901 (207) 873-0686, Fax: (207) 872-0674, Email tinac@unitedwaymidme.org

Name: _________________________________ Organization: _________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________________________

Phone: ____________________ Fax: _____________________ E-mail:_________________________

Yes! ______ We are interested in technical assistance in complying with Maine State Law

Yes! _____ We are interested in working toward the Bronze ______ Silver ______ Gold ______

Certification

Yes! ______ We would like the Partnership For A Tobacco-Free Maine’s “Good Work! Creating A

Smoke-Free Workplace” kit

We also have a specific request___________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

The Bronze Certification acknowledges a tobacco-free worksite that goes the extra step to encourage and support employees, clients and families to live, learn, work, receive services, and play in tobacco-free environments. These criteria are in addition to those required by Maine law.

1.7 Materials are readily available at all locations on the dangers of secondhand smoke and tobacco treatment resources

1.8 The worksite posts tobacco treatment resources, at a minimum the Maine Tobacco HelpLine number, 1-800-207-1230

1.9 Tobacco may not be used by clients, customers or staff during any work/services- related activity at off-site locations or within the facility itself

Silver Certification Criteria

The Silver Certification incorporates a philosophy that tobacco-free policies & practices enhance the lives of employees and those they serve and project the organization’s commitment to enhancing community health. Expectations are expanded accordingly. These criteria are in addition to those required by Maine law and by the Bronze Certification.

2.1 The policy includes a statement about why the worksite supports a tobacco-free environment. For example: “For the health and well-being of employees and clients, this organization supports tobacco-free environments.”

2.2 All leased and/or owned grounds are designated as tobacco-free, but may allow for a designated smoking area away from all entrances and windows and out of general public view. This may be a parking area if tobacco use is allowed in personal vehicles on the property.

2.3 All employees have access to information about tobacco treatment services. Information is posted in an area frequented by employees and/or provided directly to all employees. Access may be to the free statewide services and resources, be part of an employee benefits package, or be provided on site

2.4 Appropriate, multiple, clear, positive messages about the tobacco-free status of the organization are posted at service delivery locations, inside buildings and on all grounds

2.5 Staff and volunteers are responsible for consistent implementation and enforcement of the tobacco-free policy

2.6 Hiring and recruitment practices include information about the tobacco-free policy

2.7 Materials and resources on secondhand smoke, and tobacco cessation are routinely provided to individuals who use tobacco or are exposed to secondhand smoke

2.8 All direct service staff (where applicable) have the knowledge and skills to provide brief tobacco cessation interventions, to document the interventions, and to refer to other tobacco cessation resources as appropriate and available. Employers with <50 employees may request a waiver.

The Gold Certification honors an exemplary level of commitment to a tobacco-free worksite, to the employees and clients of the organization and to the well-being of all Maine citizens. These criteria are in addition to those required by Maine law and the Bronze & Silver Certifications.

3.1 All owned or leased grounds, including vehicles and parking areas, are tobacco-free. In the event that the property is leased, the organization will negotiate with the owner or representative of the owner to create a tobacco-free zone consistent with the tobacco-free policies of the organization

3.2 All personal vehicles transporting clients, even if owned by volunteers, are tobacco-free

3.3 Employee benefits include access to tobacco treatment counseling, nicotine replacement therapies (NRT), and other appropriate medications such as Zyban. Similar services are available to family members covered through benefits provisions. These benefits include access to the Maine Tobacco HelpLine and related resources. Organizations unable to provide all employee/family benefits may request a waiver

3.6 No funding or other types of sponsorship are accepted from individuals, events or organizations that promote tobacco use or are owned by tobacco companies or their subsidiaries

3.7 Members of the board of directors, executive committees, senior staff, and advisory bodies are provided clear orientation on tobacco-free policies, issues, services, etc

3.8 Tobacco intervention training for appropriate staff is supported by the organization