Campus to go smokefree
Staff are being advised of changes to the University's No Smoking Policy, which mean that smoking will not be permitted on any University premises at any time. The change is to be implemented from 1 January 2007.
From that date, staff wishing to smoke will have to leave University premises, not just buildings.
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the University has a duty to provide a working environment that is 'safe, without risks to health'.
Director of Human Resources, Veryan Johnston, said: 'The University acknowledges that passive smoking – breathing in other people's smoke – is a health hazard'.
The revised policy, which has been drawn up in consultation with Staff Committee, Safety Committee and Union Society and Trade Union representatives, covers all University premises, including the Dove Marine Laboratory and farms, and in private or hire vehicles parked on the campus.
The changes complement measures introduced recently by the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust, which operates a No Smoking policy within hospital grounds and buildings.
Mrs Johnston added: 'By making it more difficult for people to smoke, as well as creating a more pleasant working environment for non-smokers, as an employer the University is aiming to actively encourage its staff to give up smoking and adopt a more healthy lifestyle.'
The move has been welcomed by cancer expert, Professor Hilary Calvert, who said: 'I applaud the University’s decision to prohibit smoking on all its premises for two reasons: the obvious one is that it will protect non-smoking staff from the risks of passive smoking. The second is that I believe it will help smokers who want to stop smoking, by increasing the incentive to go without for another hour or so, rather than just to step outside the door to get a fix'.
Posters and leaflets from the Newcastle and North Tyneside NHS Stop Smoking Service, offering smokers sources of help and advice about stopping smoking are being distributed around campus.
Signage asking visitors to the campus and members of the public entering University grounds to respect the new No Smoking policy will also be introduced.
Web links to further information:
The Newcastle and North Tyneside Stop Smoking Service
published on: 24th October 2006