SMOKE-FREE BUSINESSES

In November 2022, the City of Vincent launched Fresh Air - You're Welcome: Smoke-Free Town Centres to protect the community from harmful second-hand smoke.

We are encouraging local businesses to join us in becoming smoke-free.

BENEFITS OF BEING A SMOKE-FREE BUSINESS

Smoke-free businesses are healthier, cleaner, and safer and have been shown to be more productive workplaces. There are benefits for employers, workers, and visitors in creating a smoke-free business, including:  

• A positive business image - it tells the community you care about their health
• Greater employee morale and improved retention rates
• Fewer absences due to ill health and down-time lost during staff taking smoke-breaks
• Reduced risk of legal action from workers exposed to second-hand smoking
• Healthier staff and healthier workplace
• Provision of a safer, cleaner and healthier work environment
• Decreased cleaning and maintenance costs
• Reduced risk of fire damage and other smoking related accidents, resulting in lower insurance costs
• Provide a supportive environment for smokers to cut down or quit
• Meets ‘duty of care’ responsibilities towards employees, clients, and visitors

Reference: Make Smoking History.

WHERE TO START

Set yourself a start date, then work towards it. Reach out to us at the City of Vincent for support using the contact form below, we want to help you.

Get staff on board

Your staff are your most important asset, so get them on board early.

• Talk to them about the benefits of going smoke-free and why it’s important.
• Get their ideas on how best to communicate with customers about going smoke-free.
• Encourage staff who smoke or use e-cigarettes to quit. Direct them to the Quitline on 137 848 or the Make Smoking History website.

Plan how you will inform customers

Ideas include:

• Social media posts
• Signage throughout the venue
• Old fashioned talking, especially to the regulars.

Make a list of items to be removed

Ideas include:

• Ashtrays and cigarette butt bins
• Cigarette vending machines

Develop a smoke-free policy

The City of Vincent can support you to develop a smoke-free policy. Alternatively, the Cancer Council WA have a helpful smoke-free workplace guide.

HOW WE CAN HELP

The City of Vincent can help by working alongside your business as it transitions to becoming smoke-free. This support is free and can help with the following:

• Developing a plan to go smoke-free
• Developing a smoke-free policy
• Signage
• Social media posts promoting your plan to go smoke-free and once you become smoke-free