Attachment+A+-+Tobacco+Free+Policy.docx

Overview:

Description: This policy provides clarity regarding the prohibition of the use of tobacco products in all interior and exterior spaces controlled by the Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS).

Purpose/Rationale: Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in North Dakota and the nation. According to North Dakota Department of Health & Human Services, in North Dakota, 1,000 adults die prematurely each year from illnesses caused by smoking. That means nearly three of our family members, friends and neighbors die every day in North Dakota from smoking. Medical claims and lost productivity costs due to smoking in North Dakota amount to $559 million per year. Medicaid costs due to smoking in North Dakota are $57 million per year, or $77.08 per capita.

By establishing a Tobacco-free workplace, DHHS will promote employee and client health, and contribute to a healthier workforce, which is consistent with the DHHS mission “To provide quality, efficient, and effective human services, which improves the lives of people”.

Applicability: This policy applies to all DHHS employees, contractors, volunteers, clients, and visitors in all interior and exterior spaces controlled, leased, or shared by DHHS including all facilities, grounds, vehicles, and employee workspaces.

Failure to Comply: Failure by an employee to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from state service. Contractors and volunteers may have their service terminated.

Policy:

Tobacco-free campus The use of all tobacco products is always prohibited in all areas of its buildings and within 20 feet of entrances, operable windows, and the ventilation system of enclosed areas. Additionally, any interior space and all outside property or grounds controlled, leased, or shared by DHHS (including parking areas and private vehicles while they are on DHHS property). In addition, ash trays, smoking shelters, etc., are prohibited within and should be removed from DHHS facilities.

Tobacco usage includes any product that contains tobacco, is derived from tobacco or contains nicotine or other similar substances, intended for human consumption, or are likely to be consumed, whether smoked, heated, inhaled, chewed, absorbed, dissolved, or ingested by any other means. The term “Tobacco Product” includes E-cigarettes and other electronic smoking devices, cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, pipes and rolling papers, and any other tobacco products, but does not include any product approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for legal sale as a tobacco cessation product and is being marketed and sold solely for the approved purpose.

Communication of Policy Signs will be used to designate a DHHS controlled facility as a “Tobacco-free Zone”. Signs communicating this message will be clearly posted (1) on the perimeter of the property, (2) at each vehicular and pedestrian entrance, and (3) at other prominent locations. However, all facilities and grounds controlled by DHHS are “Tobacco-free Zones” regardless of whether signs are posted.

All local offices will coordinate with DHHS and/or facilities for the posting and installation of approved “Tobacco-free Zone” signs.

A copy of this Tobacco-free Campus Policy will be made available to clients and visitors whenever it is deemed to be necessary to effectively communicate the requirements of this policy.

All DHHS employees, contractors and volunteers will be provided with basic information about the Tobacco-free Campus Policy at initial hire and/or upon request, and periodically thereafter as it is deemed to be necessary, to ensure compliance with this policy.

Compliance This policy is the shared responsibility of all DHHS personnel. Employees are authorized and encouraged to communicate this policy with courtesy, respect and diplomacy. If difficulties arise with compliance, an employee should notify management-level staff.

Any person who observes an individual violating this policy is encouraged to address the noncompliance with the person in question. Management and supervisory staff are responsible for ongoing compliance with this policy within their respected work areas. In addition, management and supervisory staff are expected to adhere to standard practice in resolving any issues of noncompliance.

If questions arise regarding the actual physical parameters of the prohibition for any particular purpose the agency head or designee, shall provide a final determination.

Resources DHHS is committed to assisting employees, contractors, volunteers, clients and visitors in overcoming tobacco dependency. Currently, DHHS employees have access to stop-smoking programs and pharmacology (when indicated) as part of their standard medical benefits and wellness program. In addition, cessation resource information will be provided to any employee who expresses an interest in seeking help to stop using tobacco products.

DHS contractors, volunteers, clients and visitors may be referred to the North Dakota tobacco cessation resource, ND Quits. ND Quits which is a free telephone and online tobacco cessation resource. The line is operated by the DHHS, Public Health, Healthy and Safe Communities, Tobacco Prevention & Control Program and is available to all North Dakotans. Access is by telephone at 800-QUIT-NOW or online at: https://ndquits.health.nd.gov/.

Definitions:

DHHS property: Any interior space and all outside property or grounds controlled by DHS.

Electronic cigarette (“e-cigarette”): The FDA defines e-cigarettes as products designed to deliver nicotine or other substances to a user in the form of a vapor. Typically, they are composed of a rechargeable, battery-operated heating element, a replaceable cartridge that may contain nicotine or other chemicals, and an atomizer that, when heated, converts the contents of the cartridge into a vapor.

Smokeless tobacco: Non-ceremonial tobacco products including, but not limited to, snuff, snus and chewing tobacco.

References:

http://www.ndhealth.gov/ndquits http://www.nd.gov/eforms/Doc/sfn59499.pdf http://www.ndhealth.gov/tobacco/Tobacco Order Form.aspx http://www.ndhealth.gov/tobacco/SmokeFreeLaw.htm

Contacts:

Information for Health-Care Providers http://www.ndhealth.gov/tobacco/cessation.htm http://www.ndhealth.gov/tobacco/cessation.htm image1.png