Health, Safety & Environment Committee

 

Subject:    Review of the University Smoking Policy

 

Origin:      Health, Safety and Environment Manager

 

                                                                                                                                                              

 

Purpose of the report

 

To propose that the University Smoking policy be reviewed at the June meeting of the HSE committee

 

Action required

 

To note the commitment in the current University Smoking Policy to review:

a)  provision of support for staff who would like to stop smoking

b) whether to move to a smoke free campus at some time in the future – see http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/hse/policies/download/smoking%20policy.pdf

              

Background

 

The University Smoking Policy was adopted following changes in legislation that came into force  in July 2007 (Health Act 2006 The Smoke-free (Premises and Enforcement) Regulations 2006).

 

The University Smoking Policy contains a commitment to keep its arrangements under review but in particular to consider support offered to staff who wish to stop smoking and whether to move to a smoke free campus.

 

The HSE have recently made contact with University’s Health, Safety and Environment Office following a complaint it received regarding smoking outside of an office window on campus. It was acknowledged by the HSE officer that this is not a matter that falls within the scope of the 2006 regulations, but a request was made that the policy is subject to its period review as stated.

 

Review

 

The following options could be considered by this review

 

a)            keep the policy as it is

b)            change the policy to move to a smoke free campus with or without additional support for staff to stop smoking

c)            change the policy to restrict smoking to specific locations on campus or to specify a minimum distance from buildings which must be observed by smokers .

 

Any significant changes to the existing policy are likely to affect a number of University staff and will require wider consultation. This paper seeks to initiate a discussion to consider if a review of the current smoking policy is necessary and if so to make recommendations on the process for consulting staff.

 

                                                                                                                                                              

Date – February 2009

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