Don’t smoke out your employees or your budget? Find out how!
Thinking about creating a smoking area in your workplace?
The reality is that it’s something most workplaces will need to do in the near future.
Here’s the thing…
You might think it’s a one-and-done task where you designate an outdoor space and call it a day. But the reality is, this decision can have important effects on your employee wellbeing, workplace harmony, and the bottom line.
The good news?
Done right, this is one workplace change that can help lower stress, increase productivity, and retain employees.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- The big impact a well-designed smoking area has on employee satisfaction
- The essential elements of any smoking area design that work
- The smoking area rules you must follow (legally)
- Cost-effective strategies for creating a successful smoking area
- How to balance the needs of smokers and non-smokers at work
How A Smart Smoking Area Can Increase Employee Satisfaction
Here’s the thing…
Designated smoking areas aren’t just a “nice-to-have” option for your employees. Secondhand smoke at work is an issue, with 20% of non-smoking employees reporting exposure to secondhand smoke at least once per week. And those same non-smokers are taking 31% fewer sick days than employees who smoke.
The reality is that secondhand smoke is becoming a bigger problem in the workplace than most employers realize. Employers who want to create or redesign a smoking area must think about the needs of smokers and non-smokers. Smokers need a comfortable area to go to when they need to take breaks. Non-smokers just want fresh air to breathe and not to smell cigarettes when they’re on their break or at their desks.
You know the usual options right? Smokers end up walking a long distance to go and smoke which results in extended breaks, or non-smokers have to breathe in smoke because smokers are too close to entrances and doorways when they smoke.
Now, for employees who choose to smoke, an added perk of a quality smoking area is access to quality tobacco products. Many smokers find a go-to source for their needs like native smokes for less as part of their daily routine when they work at a business with a good designated smoking area.
But you can see how that makes employees feel discriminated against when there’s nowhere good to go and smoke without inconveniencing other employees.
The smart strategy for employers is to set up smoking areas that work for everyone. Let’s dive into how.
Must-Have Design Elements For A Successful Smoking Area
The reality is most smoking areas don’t work very well because they completely ignore a few important design elements.
Here are the things you must get right with any smoking area design:
Location Is Critical
You must first look at how far away your designated smoking area is located.
State laws vary but typically, you must have the smoking area a minimum of 20 feet from any doorways, windows, and air intakes. That’s to keep cigarette smoke from wafting back into the workplace.
But here’s what most people don’t factor in…
Wind direction is critical, too. If you’ve set up your designated smoking area downwind from your business’s main entrance, you’re making your life harder.
The smoke will flow directly toward your building and irritate non-smoking employees.
Pro tip? A better place for your smoking area is on the upwind side of your building where smoke blows away from your entrances.
Airflow Matters
Airflow might not be rocket science, but it still matters.
If you have a nice spot with natural airflow that blows smoke away from the building, that’s ideal. Try to stay away from enclosed courtyards or places that are boxed in by buildings, walls, etc. Those places tend to trap smoke.
In some situations, a mechanical ventilation system might be required to capture and recirculate smoke in the designated smoking area. But really, that’s the expensive route. In most cases, you can find a good location that doesn’t require it.
Weather Protection Matters Too
Nobody wants to be in the rain or blistering sun just to smoke.
A roof that covers your smoking employees when they take their breaks is ideal. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy. Just a roof will do.
Why? Well, when smokers are comfortable, they’re more likely to take normal-length breaks instead of rushing to smoke or lingering to escape inclement weather.
With these design elements nailed down, the last thing to consider is the requirements most states place on businesses with workplace smoking areas.
Legal Requirements For Workplace Smoking Areas
You can only do so much before you have to bow to state and local laws.
In all states, here’s what you can expect in terms of legal requirements:
- Don’t have your smoking area within 20 feet of entrances, exits, and windows
- Your designated smoking area must have clear signage to indicate it
- Indoor smoking is not allowed in most cases (per your local laws)
- You must provide adequate facilities for smokers to dispose of cigarette butts
- You must follow all local fire codes for a designated smoking area
It’s also worth mentioning that some states are stricter than others. For example, California forbids smoking in most enclosed workplaces entirely. New York has some of the toughest restrictions, too, and requires your smoking area to be entirely separated from the workplace space.
The smart move? Get specific advice from your local health department on the requirements in your area. These will vary widely by county and city.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at keeping costs as low as possible while still creating a successful smoking area.
Cost-Effective Tips For Designing A Smoking Area
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a successful workplace smoking area.
Stick to the essentials and start with:
- Weather-resistant seating (even benches will do)
- Adequate lighting for safety purposes
- Trash receptacles for cigarette butt disposal
- Clear signage to indicate the smoking area
Believe it or not, some companies think they need to go overboard on furniture and set up elaborate structures for a smoking area. The truth is, employees just want a clean, comfortable place to go and take their breaks.
The smart move is to start with the basics and scale up as needed (based on employee feedback).
Balancing The Needs Of Smokers And Non-Smokers At Work
Here’s the big challenge:
Non-smokers don’t want to inhale smoke, smell cigarette odors, or see smokers take longer breaks than them. Smokers just want to have reasonable access to a smoking area without feeling discriminated against.
The key? Setting reasonable policies about all employees’ break times. If smokers take five-minute smoke breaks, non-smokers should be allowed five-minute fresh air breaks too.
Make sure your smoking area is completely separate from non-smoking areas, too. Employers are planning on improving their employee health and wellbeing offerings in 2024, with 64% of employers planning to do so. Offering smoking cessation programs is one easy way to demonstrate your concern for your employees’ health while offering practical help.
Let’s recap.
Creating an effective smoking area is about finding a good balance between legal requirements, employee expectations, and the needs of your business. Employers that get this can improve employee satisfaction, lower employee stress levels, and more easily comply with workplace health and safety requirements.
Remember to start with your local requirements, then move to location, weather protection, and setting clear policies. Simple, clean, and fair always works best for all parties involved.
Implementation
This is where most smoking area designs fall flat.
You need to communicate the policy to all employees before you implement it. Then you need to ensure supervisors enforce the policy without bias.
The simple fact is, a well-designed smoking area can do more than just accommodate smokers. It also shows that you’re serious about finding policies that work for all your employees and that you care about workplace productivity and legal compliance.
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