Working Life > Business Behaviour > Smoking

Smoking at Work

Smoking falls under the scope of employment protection at workplaces. At some places of work, there is a general smoking ban for reasons of hygiene (e.g. in the food-processing industry) or in danger zones to avoid fires and explosions. The workplaces ordinance § 5 non-smoker protection designates: "The employer has to adopt the necessary measures to effectively protect non-smoking employees at workplaces from the health hazards caused by tobacco smoke." In doing so, the adverse health effects of involuntary passive smoking are counteracted. In the past, the actual state of involuntary passive smoking at workplaces was the reason for many disputes and of disruptions of the working climate. Further aspects were the frequent illnesses caused by smoking and the reduction in working motivation.

• The implementation of company smoking bans underlies the co-determination of the employee organization and is best documented via a company agreement. Belonging to these is the provision of separated workplaces for smokers and non-smokers or also the general smoking ban
• A smoking ban can also be included in the contract of employment
• The employer is responsible for making a smoke-free workplace available to non-smokers, in order to protect them from the adverse health effects of tobacco smoke. Possibilities are:
  • Separating the offices into smoking and non-smoking offices
  • The provision of smokers' rooms and corners
  • The provision of special smoker breaks
• Always adhere to smoking bans. Otherwise, you may get a warning
• Does the employer undertake nothing, and you as a non-smoker feel impaired, then you can complain to your employer or employee organization. If nothing happens, then the last possibility is to complain to the responsible trade supervisory centre
• Customers are usually excluded from the workplace ordinance concerning the provisions of non-smoker protection. Merely sufficient airing must be provided
• Pregnant women are to be allocated to completely smoke-free workplaces

• Mind over muscle; Science News, April 24, 2009