Purpose
7.1 This policy has been developed to protect all employees, service users, customers and visitors from exposure to second-hand smoke and to ensure compliance with laws that ban smoking in public places (including workplaces).
7.2 Exposure to second-hand smoke, also known as passive smoking, increases the risk of lung cancer, heart disease and other illnesses. Ventilation or separating smokers and non-smokers within the same airspace does not stop potentially dangerous exposure.
7.3 Babies are at particular risk from second-hand smoke because this can increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Staff are given NHS and Lullaby Trust guidance to read as part of probation so that they are fully aware.
Policy
7.4 Smoking is prohibited throughout the entire workplace with no exceptions. This includes Company vehicles and outside areas. This policy applies to all employees, consultants, customers and visitors.
7.5 Staff must not smoke within view of nursery premises or of parents arriving at nursery and must not smoke in their uniform/work clothes.
7.6 Staff cannot take additional breaks to smoke. If staff wish to smoke during their lunch break then as per clause 7.4, this cannot be done in view of nursery premises, parents arriving at nursery nor in their uniform and they must not return to nursery smelling of smoke.
Implementation
7.7 Overall responsibility for policy implementation and review rests with Senior Management. All staff are obliged to adhere to and to facilitate the implementation of the policy.
7.8 The person named above shall ensure that all existing employees, consultants and contractors are aware of the policy and of their role in the implementation and monitoring of the policy. They will also ensure that all new personnel are given a copy of the policy on recruitment or induction.
Non-compliance
7.9 Non compliance with this policy and relevant law will be treated as a disciplinary offence.
Electronic cigarettes
7.10 For the purposes of this policy, “e-smoking” or vaping are treated in the same way as smoking.