Tools and resources for Smokefree workplaces

Indoor workplaces must be smokefree and vapefree

Smoking and vaping is regulated by the by the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990 and its amendments. Under the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Vaping) Amendment Act 2020 all indoor workplaces must be smokefree and vapefree. This includes:

• offices
• restaurants and bars
• warehouses and factories
• break rooms
• taxis
• internal areas of trains and ships
• prisons
• travel terminals and passenger lounges.

Find out more about the law on the Ministry of Health website.

Ministry of Health — Regulation and legislation

Smokefree and vapefree signs, posters and stickers

Signs, posters and stickers are available free of charge for workplaces to order or download. Displaying these prominently helps meet your legal obligations and shows your commitment to a smokefree workplace. 

Customisable workplace signage

These signs are available as downloadable templates that you can customise with up to three organisation logos. The templates are available in English and te reo Maōri.

HealthEd — Workplace signage template, English

HealthEd — Workplace signage template, te reo Māori

Smokefree / vapefree signs

These are available as downloads in multiple sizes and colourways. There are English and te reo Māori versions for all. 

Smokefree / vapefree signs

Hākohu kore / Auahi kore signs

Stickers and stencils

Stencils and stickers are available in several formats to order for your organisation.

Smokefree stencils – Large

Smokefree stencils – Small

Smokefree stickers

Breakfree to Smokefree posters

Print and display these posters which have a QR code that links to stop smoking support services.

Breakfree to Smokefree workplace poster

Outdoor areas or other designated spaces

Many workplaces go beyond the basic requirements by making outdoor areas, or other designated spaces smokefree. This helps to:

• support people who are trying to quit smoking
• eliminate the risks associated with secondhand smoke
• prevent smoking-related fires.

HealthEd — Smokefree outdoor dining sign

Develop a smokefree workplace policy

Smokefree workplaces: A whole-of-organisation approach

This resource outlines a whole-of-organisation approach to creating smokefree workplaces, aimed at enhancing overall effectiveness. It includes practical guidance and example actions across three key areas of change: organisational, environmental, and individual levels.

Smokefree policy builder

Creating a smokefree policy is the clearest way for an employer to introduce the smokefree message to the workplace and support health and wellbeing.  

There are easy-to-use policy templates for businesses on Business.govt.nz. You can use the Health and Wellbeing policy template to develop a customised smokefree policy for your workplace.

Business.govt.nz — Smokefree at work

Business.govt.nz — Health and wellbeing policy

Vaping in the Workplace

Vaping is not harmless. While it may expose users to fewer toxicants than smoking, the aerosol produced by vaping contains substances that can affect respiratory health and the long-term health effects are not yet known. Vaping is not for people who do not smoke, and it is not for children or young people. To protect the health and wellbeing of all staff, and to prevent the normalization of vaping, especially for people who do not smoke, taking additional steps to promote both a smokefree and vapefree workplace is beneficial.

Vaping can be a useful tool for some individuals who are trying to stop smoking and have found other evidence-based methods such as nicotine replacement therapy did not work for them. In such cases, encourage employees to seek support through stop smoking services or Quitline who can support smoking cessation, then vaping cessation. The best thing for health is to be both smokefree and vapefree.

Learn more about vaping to quit