Smoke-free Campus: Guide for managers and supervisors

By going smoke-free, JCU is supporting the health of students, staff and all other persons on JCU premises.  There is clear evidence to show that smoke-free environments support smokers to quit and reduce the number of people taking up smoking. This is part of a broader commitment by all Queensland universities to provide healthier smoke-free environments.

JCU has a legal responsibility to provide a safe work and study environment and protect from the serious health risks associated with exposure to second-hand smoke.

JCU recognises that each individual has a personal choice to smoke, but also recognises the right of those who do not smoke to work and study in an environment free from second-hand smoke.

Quitting smoking isn't easy, but with the right tools and support, quitting smoking is possible and can be one of the most life-changing decisions a person can make.

The health of staff and students is important to JCU. Staff and students who smoke and would like to stop smoking can receive support and encouragement on their journey to becoming smoke-free through Quitline.

Any individual who is smoking on JCU campuses may be approached by staff, students or campus security and reminded about our Smoke-free Campus Policy. As a manager or supervisor you can assist greatly in implementing the policy and encouraging compliance by:

• Ensuring all staff are aware of the Smoke-free Campus Policy by discussing the policy at an appropriate opportunity (i.e. team meeting)
• Discussing the requirement to go off campus to smoke, and when doing so to consider neighbouring properties, litter and personal safety
• Ensuring that the smoke-free campus status is raised with potential new staff members in interviews
• Ensuring staff are aware of the support available to assist them to quit smoking
• If you are a teaching staff member you can remind students at the first lecture of term.

Managers and teaching staff can download a series of Smoke-free Campuses PowerPoint slides (PPT, 230 KB) that can be adapted to suit.

The aim of the Smoke-free Campus Policy is to:

• Raise awareness of the harmful effects of second-hand smoke
• Support smokers to quit smoking, and
• Discourage people from starting to smoke.

Where an individual is found to be smoking on campus, they will be informed of the Smoke-free Campus Policy, politely asked to cease smoking, and be advised of the requirement to comply with the policy.

JCU encourages Staff, Students, members of JCU Council, Affiliates, Visitors, Tenants, Controlled Entities, Volunteers and Contractors to refrain from smoking on campus. University policy will be updated to prohibit smoking on campus, and failure to comply with policy may result in disciplinary action for staff and students or a request to leave the campus for other persons as listed above.

If you find that a staff member is spending too much time away from their work, over and above their designated breaks, a proactive and supportive approach that encourages a change in behaviour is the first step. This can avoid matters potentially escalating to disciplinary action.

Excessive breaks from work should be treated the same, whether the staff member is going for a smoke, coffee, or chatting to colleagues. An informal discussion with the individual regarding the amount of time being taken away from their work, and providing guidance on what is expected, and the potential consequences of continuing the behaviour, can resolve the matter and avoid time consuming formal processes.

It is also important to remind the staff member of the support available through Quitline.

The following checklist offers a guide to approaching staff regarding excessive smoking breaks. Whilst it is the individual's choice to smoke, they are required to manage this appropriately within their allocated breaks, in accordance with JCU policy, so it does not impact on their work.

In the situation where a staff member continues to take excessive breaks to smoke, consult your supervisor to ascertain the next steps to guide your actions, with additional support from your local Human Resources representatives if required.