Smokefree workplaces
The smokefree workplaces toolkit equips businesses with information and resources to build a smokefree culture and connect with stop smoking services.
Supporting employees to quit smoking brings lasting benefits for both staff and businesses. Workplace quit smoking programmes are available at no cost through stop smoking services around the country.
Your staff are your greatest asset. By investing in their health, you’ll boost wellbeing, enhance productivity, and create a more positive work environment.
Benefits of a smokefree workplace
- Healthier workers and fewer sick days ─ people who smoke are usually sick for longer.
- Improved productivity.
- Health and safety benefits. There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke and it can make health conditions like asthma worse.
- A smokefree workplace contributes to successful quitting ─ when colleagues are trying to quit, a no smoking rule means there are no constant reminders or triggers.
Supporting smoking cessation in the workplace
Investing a small amount of time to support quitting brings benefits to staff and the business.
Stop-smoking programmes that use nicotine replacement therapy in combination with behaviour change support can more than double the success rate compared to quitting ‘cold turkey’.
There are stop smoking services across New Zealand, including kaupapa Māori and Pacific providers in some regions. Stop smoking services provide support at no cost to you.
Stop smoking services can provide:
- free nicotine replacement therapy for staff
- support to quit using vaping, followed by support to stop vaping
- strategies and support to quit successfully
- group or individual support.
Engaging with a stop smoking service
To enquire about stop smoking support for your workplace click here . Alternatively, you can find your local stop smoking service here
Legislation:
Smoking and vaping is regulated by the by the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990 and it’s amendments. Under the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Vaping) Amendment Act 2020 all indoor workplaces must be smokefree and vapefree. This includes offices, restaurants, bars, warehouses, factories, break rooms, taxis, internal areas of trains and ships, prisons and travel terminals and passenger lounges.
Find out more about the law on the Ministry of Health website.
Many workplaces go beyond the basic requirements by making outdoor areas, or other designated spaces smokefree. This approach supports people who are trying to quit smoking, eliminates the risks associated with secondhand smoke, and helps prevent smoking-related fires.
Workplace stories
Fulton Hogan Hawkes Bay
Read how Fulton Hogan engaged with stop smoking services and supported a smokefree workplace through WorkWell.
Tools and resources
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. The Health and Wellbeing policy template lets you build a customised, smokefree policy for your workplace.
Signage, posters and stickers
Demonstrate your commitment to a smokefree workplace by prominently displaying signage and stickers, and by providing posters that connect people to stop smoking services.
Customisable workplace signage – downloadable template.
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Smokefree and vapefree downloadable signage:
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Smokefree stencils
| Re-usable cardboard stencil for smokefree areas. To use, place the stencil on the surface to be labelled and either paint or spray over. |
Smokefree stickers
| A range of smokefree stickers are available to order free of charge here. |
Downloadable Breakfree to Smokefree workplace poster
| Print and display this poster set with a QR code that links to stop smoking support services. |
Workplace wellbeing support:
WorkWell is a free, comprehensive workplace wellbeing programme developed and delivered by Health NZ. It supports organisations through a clear, step-by-step process, providing practical tools, resources and guidelines to help address the key pillars of workplace wellbeing, including smokefree workplaces.