Purpose

This policy has been developed to protect all employees, service users, customers and visitors from exposure to second-hand smoke and to assist compliance with the Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Act 2005.

Exposure to second-hand smoke, also known as passive smoking, increases the risk of ling cancer, heart disease and other illnesses. Ventilation or separating smokers and non-smokers within the same air space does not completely stop potentially dangerous exposure.

Policy

It is the policy of The Pentlands Medical Centre that all of our workplaces are smoke-free and all employees have a right to work in a smoke free environment.

Smoking is prohibited throughout the entire workplace with no exceptions. This policy applies to all employees, health care professionals, contractors, patients and visitors.

Implementation

Overall responsibility for policy implementation and review rests with Pauline Melville – Practice Manager.  All staff are obliged to adhere to, and facilitate the implementation of the policy.

The Practice Manager shall inform all existing employees, health care professionals and contractors of the policy and their role in the implementation and monitoring of the policy. All new employees will be given a copy of the policy on recruitment/induction.

Non-Compliance

Local disciplinary procedures will be followed if a member of staff does not comply with this policy. Non-compliance from the general public, contractors etc may lead to a fixed penalty fine and possible criminal prosecution.

Help to stop Smoking

The practice runs a Smoking Cessation Clinic.

Other sources of support are: Smokeline 0800848484, www.hebs.com/tobacco