Is there a cloud of cigarette smoke outside the employee entrance?

  While I was working with an organization today I was surprised to hear cigarette breaks and smoking outside of the door raised as an employer concern.  I guess I’ve been in more locations where workplace smoking bans have been required by state or local government since the mid 1990’s.  Where workplace smoking has not been banned by laws it has been restricted by employers or the smokers must be hiding.

 The American Non Smokers Rights Foundation released an updated compilation of legislative restrictions on smoking today.  The information includes a map of the US that indicates the Percent of the Population Covered by Smokefree Workplace Laws.  21 states require a smoke free workplace and they will be joined by 2 more on January 1, 2009.  More than 2,700 municipalities have their own regulations about smoking in workplaces, bars and/or restaurants. 

 This employer has every right to restrict where employees smoke outside of buildings.  They can also maintain consistent policies about breaks.  Non-smokers in the room were not happy about walking through a cloud to reach their desk.  This is exactly the kind of experience smokefree regulations aim to eliminate. After employees are told the locations, outside, where smoking is permitted signage and specific receptacles for ashes will help communicate the policy. 

 So when that employee lights up as soon as they leave or smokes right up to the door point them in the right direction for their next nicotine attack.  Better yet direct them to resources to help them quit.