Smokefree workplaces

The law

Under the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Vaping) Amendment Act 2020 (the Amendment Act), all indoor workplaces must be smokefree and vapefree. This includes offices, restaurants, bars, warehouses, factories, break rooms, taxis, internal areas of trains and ships, prisons and travel terminals and passenger lounges. Find out more about the law on the Ministry of Health website.

Benefits of being smokefree at work 

Many workplaces have extended their smokefree areas to outdoor areas and work vehicles. It is the right of employers to set out expectations about smoking in the workplace policy.

There are lots of benefits to being smokefree at work, including:

• healthier workers and fewer sick days. People who smoke are usually sick for longer
• people who are bothered by cigarette or vape smoke will not be exposed to them at work
• health and safety. There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke and it can make health conditions like asthma worse
• it contributes to successful quitting: when colleagues are trying to quit, a no smoking rule means there are no constant reminders or triggers.

Resources

There are resources that can help you maintain a smokefree and vapefree workplace. 

Smokefree policies

There are easy-to-use policy templates on Business.govt.nz. They are especially practical for small and medium-sized businesses. The Health and Wellbeing policy template lets you build a smokefree policy for your workplace, and customise it according to your needs.

Connect with your local stop smoking service 

Stop smoking services can provide individual and group support in a workplace setting. 

Find your local stop smoking service