Tobacco Free Workplace Grounds & Entryways

Why should workplace grounds be tobacco-free?

More than 71% of Capital District region residents believe that areas around bulding entry ways should be tobacco-free---including more than half of all current smokers. The Clean Indoor Air Act sets minimum standards, but you can do more. It's up to you!

• A tobacco-free environment is good for employees, for the neighborhood and enhances your business in ways that your clients and visitors will notice and appreciate.
  
  
• Smokefree entryway policies reduce loitering, cigarette litter, and fire hazards.
  
  
• Smokefree entryway policies prevent secondhand smoke from entering buildings and endangering employees’ health.
  

Who has established tobacco-free grounds and entryways?

There is an evolving trend to make outdoor public spaces smoke free fueled by increasing proof of the dangers of secondhand smoke, discontent over cigarette litter, and an understanding that when tobacco use is less visible in the public landscape, children and teens are less likely to view it as a common part of adult behavior to which they might aspire.

Across the state, community partners have worked with nearly 500 organizations and businesses to go tobacco-free, including many here in the Capital District. In addition, many Capital District businesses and organizations have instituted tobacco-free grounds policies on their own. Among those locally that are currently tobacco-free:

Albany County Buildings BlueShield of NENY Capital District Community Gardens Capital District Transportation Authority Child Program & Family Resource Center Community Gardens Conditioned Air Products Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York Guilderland Public Library Lia Honda Maria College Marie Rose Manor	Mohawk Valley Library System/     Rotterdam branch Northside Little League NY Oncology & Hematology Associates Rensselaer County Public Health Dept. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Roots & Wisdom Rudy A. Cicotti Family Recreation Center Schenectady ARC Schenectady Head Start Sunshine Day Care Center Twin Town Little League Union Graduate College

What can be done to make your worksite grounds tobacco-free?

The Capital District Tobacco-Free Coalition invites all employers in Albany, Schenectady and Rensselaer counties to establish tobacco-free grounds. The Coalition can provide help to:

• Develop tobacco-free workplace plan;
  
  
• Promote the plan with employees, customers, etc., including the prominent posting of tobacco-free signage.
  
  
• Reinforce the plan to maximize compliance.

For more information or assistance, contact Theresa Zubretsky at tzubretsky @ setonhealth.org or 459-2388 x 229.

Learn more

• Fact Sheet
• Three steps to Smoke-Free Entryways
• Tobacco-Free Outdoor No-Cost Sign Order Form