Your wellbeing initiatives at the individual level will likely focus on raising awareness and/or building skills to manage this wellbeing area.
Raise awareness of smoking and second-hand smoke and identify lines of support
Strengthen your community by linking employees with local resources and even consider aligning with community organisations as part of a Corporate Social Responsibility policy.
Also see our Community Links to connect with an organisation that specialises in Smoking and Second-hand Smoke and subscribe to their newsletter to keep abreast of the latest news and events in this wellbeing space.
They may be able to offer supports, services or partnership in:
- Workshops or lunchtime information sessions. These can be educational in nature to help employees understand the harm that smoking causes and how it is a major risk factor for chronic disease. Instead of once-off sessions, include a long-term plan for these sessions and remember to enable employees to avail of these sessions by making reasonable schedule or workload accommodations.
- Resources to promote a better understanding of the serious health consequences of smoking and second-hand smoke and the benefits of quitting. These can include posters, infographics, videos, or write-ups in company newsletters etc.
- Participating in awareness days. National No Smoking Day is Ash Wednesday in Ireland, and World No Tobacco Day is 31st May. You can support local smoking cessation organisations and honour the day in various ways while promoting your activities in a company newsletter or on your social media. Remember though that smoking and second-hand smoke awareness is important all year ‘round!
- Consider incentivisation and innovative ideas. Some innovative employers have incentivised quitting by offering employees who don’t smoke an extra day or two paid annual leave
Appropriate level of support
It is important to remember that every employee is at a different stage of their wellbeing journey in this area. There are employees who are unaware of the implications of smoking and second-hand smoke and employees who may be at-risk for or currently trying to quit.
It is important to tailor supports accordingly, signpost to appropriate resources or link with appropriate department(s) in the workplace (HR, Occupational Health Nurse, insurance-provider etc.)
Also see our Community Links to connect with an organisation that specialises in Smoking and Second-hand Smoke who may be able to offer supports, services, or partnership in:
- Managing risks for smoking or smoking cessation workshops or lunchtime sessions. These can be skills-building in nature. Instead of once-off sessions, include a long-term plan for these sessions and remember to enable employees to avail of these sessions by making reasonable schedule or workload accommodations.
- Resources to promote ways for staff to quit smoking. These can include posters, infographics, videos, or write-ups in company newsletters etc. that include practical tips on improving success when embarking on the journey to quit smoking, including appropriate replacement therapies. Perhaps include information about vaping/e-cigarettes, which are too new to know about their safety and are not authorised by the Health Products Regulatory Authority.
- Ensure inclusion. Don’t forget to make accommodations for remote-working employees and those who work off-site or travel as they will not be able to see on-site posters and can be somewhat isolated from formal and informal conversations. It’s easy for these employees to feel disconnected so special considerations should be made.
- Other advice. Know your legal obligations and recommended supports for employees who are trying to quit.
- Integrating holistic wellbeing. See how you can integrate other wellbeing areas such as Mental Health as smoking is in many cases a way to cope with stress or workplace incivility.