Stokers A5 Handbook Policies APR24

SMOKING POLICY

INTRODUCTION Stokers is committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of all employees by providing a safe place of work and protecting all employees, service users, customers and visitors from exposure to smoke. All employees and visitors have the right to a smoke-free environment. POLICY All of the business’s workplaces (including any vehicles provided by Stokers for work purposes) must be kept smoke-free in accordance with Stokers’ legal obligations. Managers have a specific responsibility to ensure the fair application of this policy and all employees are responsible for supporting colleagues and ensuring its success. This policy covers all employees, officers, consultants, contractors, casual workers and agency workers. Anyone visiting Stokers’ premises or using the business’s vehicles must comply with the smoking restrictions set out in this policy. This policy does not form part of any employee’s contract of employment and it may be amended at any time. GENERAL PRINCIPLES Smoking is not permitted anywhere in Stokers’ workplaces (including any vehicles provided by Stokers for work purposes). The ban applies to anything that can be smoked and includes, but is not limited to: • Cigarettes; • Electronic cigarettes; • Pipes (including water-based pipes); • Cigars; and • Herbal cigarettes. Anyone using vehicles provided for work purposes, whether as a driver or passenger, must ensure that the vehicles remain smoke-free. Employees may only smoke outside Stokers’ premises in designated areas, during breaks. Employees must dispose of cigarette butts and other litter appropriately and responsibly. If delivering stock to customer’s homes, employees must not smoke at, within or around the vicinity of the customer’s home, for clarity employees must drive away from the customer’s home out of sight and stop safely to take a smoking break. Smoking, including the use of electronic cigarettes, by employees directly outside, or in view of, any of Stokers’ stores whilst on duty or on breaks is strictly prohibited at all times.

Breaches of this policy by any employee will be taken seriously by the business and addressed accordingly. In the case of employees, any breach of this policy will be dealt with under the business’s Disciplinary Procedure and, in serious cases, may be treated as gross misconduct leading to dismissal without notice.

Breaches of this policy may also amount to a criminal offence, and may result in a fixed penalty fine and/or criminal prosecution.

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