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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