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Prior to implementation
• Approach the smoke-free policy as a health and wellness initiative.
• Collaborate with other organizations in the community.
• Form a task force dedicated to enforcement.
• Include smokers in planning the policy’s implementation.
• Anticipate the impact on other corporate policies.
• Define your boundaries carefully.
• Allow for plenty of lead time, but don’t phase the policy in.
Total buy-in
• Take a compassionate approach when interacting with smokers.
• Document and track employee tobacco use and cessation prior to and after policy implementation.
• Be consistent.
• All employees should participate in enforcing the policy.
Communication
• Communicate early and often.
• Inform patients of the policy as soon as possible.
• Word your signs carefully and update signage as needed.
• Solicit input from neighbors and the local community.
• Inform your vendors and contractors.
Monitoring
• Look for ways to integrate tobacco-free language into other policies.
• Plan to review the policy and enforcement tactics regularly.
• Celebrate ongoing success.
Enforcement
• Foster a non-confrontational approach.
• Stand firm and don’t backtrack.
• Expect the unexpected.
Preventive maintenance
• Identify and monitor “hot spots” where enforcement may be troublesome.
• Anticipate where problems are likely to occur.
• Keep the grounds clean.
• Be consistent.
Additional considerations
• Keep the focus on health.
• Find new rewards.
• Involve patients in policy development and in developing a care plan that includes quitting.
• Expect good outcomes.
To read The Joint Commission’s report and strategies more in depth, click here.
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