The Wellness Coalition offers free support to local businesses who are interested in implementing or enhancing smoke-free policies at their worksites. More than three out of four people in Alabama are already protected by tobacco-free policies where they work. Alabama lawmakers continue to provide more comprehensive protections from secondhand smoke. In addition to the Alabama Clean Indoor Air Act, many municipalities have passed local ordinances to protect citizens from secondhand smoke as well.
Cost Savings to Businesses with Smoke-Free Policies
- Reduced insurance premiums on buildings
- Reduced health insurance premiums, employee medical costs, and sick day usage
- Decreased risk of fires and accidents
- Reduced employee turnover
- Increased employee productivity and job satisfaction
- Improved company appeal to quality applicants
Economic Cost of Cigarette Smoking
- Nearly $185 billion in lost productivity from smoking-related illnesses and health conditions
- Nearly $180 billion in lost productivity from smoking-related premature death
- $7 billion in lost productivity from premature death from secondhand smoke exposure
- More than $240 billion in healthcare spending
Smoke-Free Policies Are Legal
The Alabama Clean Indoor Air Act states that owners, operators, managers, or other persons who control any establishment or facility may declare and enforce a nonsmoking policy in the entire establishment or facility.
Smoke-Free Policies Are Non-Discriminatory
You are not unlawfully discriminating against people who smoke, nor are you violating a fundamental right by banning smoking. All claims to the contrary have no legal basis.
- Smokers are not protected under any state or federal laws, and smoking is not a “protected category,” nor is addiction to nicotine considered a disability.
- To help protect against any charges of targeting smokers or discrimination, you can focus on the activity of smoking and not on smokers. Smoke-free means “no smoking,” not “no smokers.”
Smoke-Free Don’t Infringe On Individual Rights
There is no legally recognized “right to smoke.” When smoke-free laws, ordinances, or policies are debated, the claim of a “right to smoke” is frequently raised by those opposing the policies. However, courts have considered the argument that individuals have a right to smoke and have consistently found that no such right exists.
Get Support From The Wellness Coalition
The Wellness Coalition can help your business by:
- Making, reviewing, or improving a policy
- Creating educational resources for employees
- Providing no smoking signs for your business
We also recognize our smoke-free partners online and in promotional materials. Contact The Wellness Coalition today at (334) 293-6502. You can also submit your information by visiting bit.ly/SMOKEFREEWORK