Implementing a Tobacco-Free Campus Initiative in Your Workplace
- Introduction
- Assessing Need and Interest
- Planning a TFC Initiative
- Promoting the Initiative
- Implementing the Initiative
- Evaluating Success
Implementing the Initiative
The two main components of a tobacco-free campus initiative — the policy and the expanded employee cessation services — may be implemented simultaneously or sequentially. Ideally, the expanded cessation services should be initiated some time before the policy goes into effect. This gives employees time to prepare for the policy, “softens” the announcement of the policy by making clear that the worksite is taking a supportive, nonpunitive stance towards employees who use tobacco, and gives employees an incentive to make use of the additional cessation services. Whether you launch the two components of the TFC initiative simultaneously or successively, the following suggestions will help you implement the initiative:
- Offering Cessation Services
- Announcing the Policy
- Creating a Supportive Environment
- Enforcing the Policy
- Monitoring a TFC
Offering Cessation Services
Approaches to implementing the cessation services component of the TFC
initiative will vary from one organization to the next, depending on the
needs of your employees, the types of services you plan to provide, and the
channels through which these services will be made available (e.g., onsite
clinics, health plans, your state quitline). Your communication plan should
reflect all of these factors. Assure that cessation support is in place and
that employees are aware of it. Even with FDA-approved,
effective cessation treatment, not everyone is successful in quitting on
the first attempt, so consider developing your benefits to support at
least two quit attempts per year. Maintain records on the number of
employees who have accessed the services, how many of these employees have
tried to quit, and how many employees have succeeded in quitting after six
months.
Announcing the Policy
If the planning committee decides to implement the cessation
services before the policy has been implemented, consider announcing that
the policy is on its way at the same time that you announce the new
services. The announcement should come from top management.
Decide on a date when the policy will take effect, allowing for sufficient
lead time (at least nine months and preferably longer) to carry out the
communication plan(s). If possible, avoid having the policy take effect at a
time of cold or inclement weather. Consider scheduling the policy
implementation to take advantage of publicity opportunities such as the
American Cancer Society’s Great American Smoke-Out® each November, World No
Tobacco Day each May, and New Year's resolutions at the beginning of each year.
Regardless of the time of year, begin promotion of the new policy at least
two months before it takes effect. Consider holding a series of countdown
events. Send out periodic reminders to employees in the period leading up to
the date the policy takes effect. Send out one final announcement, from top
management, immediately before the policy takes effect.
On the day that the policy takes effect, hold one or more high-profile
events featuring top management. These events should have a positive spin,
emphasizing the policy’s benefits for employees’ health and publicizing the
expanded cessation services that are being made available.
Creating a Supportive Environment
Work closely with building management personnel to establish a campus
environment that conveys a consistent tobacco-free message. This includes
removing smoking shelters and cigarette butt receptacles and installing signage. If possible, have the signs in place by
the time the policy goes into effect. The signs should be placed at all
vehicle and pedestrian entrances in order to notify employees and visitors
that they are entering a tobacco-free campus. If signs cannot be installed
in time, consider using temporary banners until they become available. Place
decals on building doors stating that buildings are tobacco-free.
Enforcing the Policy
In the weeks before the policy takes effect, management should clearly
communicate to supervisors and security officials their role in enforcing
the policy, including specific guidance on how to correct noncompliance.
Consider training supervisors and security officials in enforcement
procedures, handling or filing complaints, and conflict management.
Monitor enforcement to make sure that the policy is being applied in an
equitable manner that does not single out or exempt any particular groups of
employees.
Suggest that top management officials walk through campus areas, especially
areas where employees have traditionally smoked in the past, during the
first few days after the policy takes effect as a visible show of support
for the policy.
Monitoring a TFC
Once all components of the TFC initiative have been implemented,
carefully monitor the implementation process to identify any pockets of
noncompliance, areas of confusion, or other problems. Clarify policy
provisions and adjust implementation and enforcement procedures as
necessary. Document lessons learned.
Closely monitor employee comments. This information can help you identify
broad issues that need to be addressed. Respond to employee comments,
suggestions, and concerns in a timely, thoughtful manner that shows you are
taking them seriously. Incorporate answers to recurring questions into the
frequently asked questions document.
Focus attention and communication efforts on locations where
employees have been accustomed to using tobacco products. Make sure the
policy is being applied on all shifts.
Debrief the planning committee and assign duties for ongoing
activities related to providing cessation services, responding to employee
questions and comments, and evaluating the TFC initiative. Meet with
management and report on lessons learned, the results of process and outcome
evaluations, and ongoing activities. Actively maintaining unconditional top
management support for the initiative is crucial.
If free services are provided by your organization, report on utilization as
a strategy for continuing to promote the services.
Next Steps
After your TFC initiative has been implemented, begin evaluation of the program. This will help refine the initiative, and promotion of the results can reinforce the TFC policy and use of available cessation services.
TFC Example Tools
- CDC Tobacco-Free Campus
- CDC’s Campus Banners
- CDC’s Campus Signs
- CDC’s Door Decal
- Example Frequently Asked Questions
- Smoking Shelter to Covered Bicycle Rack: Before and After Photos
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* Links to non-Federal organizations found at this site are provided solely as a service to our users. These links do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their programs by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization Web pages found at these links.
Page last updated: May 22, 2007
Content Source: Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
