In This Issue:
• Project Health Update
• Quick Facts: second hand smoke in the workplace
• Resources
• Mark Your Calendars
Project Health Update
Thanks to all who participated in our Project Health luncheon on February 23, 2006. Participants were excited to hear Linda Barton share her expertise on nutrition and enjoyed catching up and hearing about how each workplace is implementing activities from the Project Health toolkit.
The final evaluation for Project Health occurred on May 25th – it marked a year since you originally received the toolkit! The purpose of the evaluation was to provide feedback to the workgroup on the use of the kit and your satisfaction with the toolkit and its' contents. We really appreciated your input. The Workplace Workgroup will now review all of your feedback and will be announcing the next phase of the project. Stay tuned. Thanks again for all your time, interest and active participation in the project.
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Quick Facts:
second hand smoke in the workplace
All of the best designed studies report no impact or a positive impact of smoke-free restaurant and bar laws on sales or employment. Policymakers can act to protect workers and patrons from the toxins in secondhand smoke confident in rejecting industry claims that there will be an adverse economic impact.
(based on the study below)
Scollo, M., Lal, A., Hyland, A., & Glantz, S. (2003). Review of the quality of studies on the economic effects of smoke-free policies on the hospitality industry. Tobacco Control, 12; 13-20. entire report
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Resources
Smoke Free Ontario Act
Everything you want to know about the Act and how it will impact your workplace. Documents are in laymen’s terms and outline employer responsibility under the act. Copies of both the act and the regulations are also available at this link.
Fact Sheet – Economic Impact of Smoke-Free Policies
Basic information regarding the economic impact this act may have on business throughout the province.
Canadian Council for Tobacco Control
Recent additions to their Tobacco Control Reference Catalogue that explain how the new Smoke-Free Ontario Act will affect various kinds of workplaces.
Review of the quality of studies on the economic effects of smoke-free
policies on the hospitality industry
This resource compares the quality and funding source of studies concluding a negative economic impact of smoke-free policies in the hospitality industry to studies concluding no such negative impact. The results showed that only those studies funded by the Tobacco Industry showed a negative Impact.
How Dangerous is Second Hand Smoke?
Describes what is in second hand smoke and explains why it is more dangerous than what is inhaled by a smoker. Clarifies the difference between mainstream and sidestream smoke. Lists the immediate and long-term health effects of exposure to second-hand smoke. Prepared by the Canadian Council for Tobacco Control and the Program Training and Consultation Centre and modified by the Centre for Addictions Research of BC.
Blowing Smoke: a drifting danger to your health
This article describes the health dangers of second hand smoke that has either been carried by the wind, indoor air circulation, or on clothes and/or skin. It also argues for the necessity of protecting the air quality of the living spaces of non-smokers.
Health effects of second-hand smoke
Explains the short and long term effects of exposure to secondhand smoke. Includes references to source documents.
Towards a Healthier Workplace: A Guidebook on Tobacco Control Policies
This guidebook, published by Health Canada, is designed to help employees and employers who are preparing to create or strengthen tobacco control policies in their workplaces.
Clearing the Air in Workplaces: A Guidebook for
Developing Effective Tobacco Control Policies
A guidebook which is designed for use by staff and volunteers in public health departments and voluntary health agencies who work with businesses to create smoke-free policies and by workplace representatives who want to create or strengthen a smoke-free policy in their workplace. It includes a rationale for smoke-free workplace policies, a description of policy options, sample policies, employer handouts, employee handouts, an employee survey tool, background information and more.
Clearing the Air in Workplaces
This slide show includes 19 professional visuals and speaking notes. It can be adapted to fit into presentations that are anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes long.
For more information about Smoking in the Workplace
call the Tobacco Information Line at (519) 883-2279
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Mark Your Calendars
SMOKE-FREE ONTARIO ACT May 31, 2006
The Smoke-Free Ontario Act comes into force on May 31, 2006. For full text of the act, please see the link below.
Stroke Awareness Month June 2006
June is Stroke Awareness Month in Canada. This month’s theme is keep Canadians aware of the warning signs of stroke and how they can reduce the risk of stroke which includes working and living in a smoke-free environment.
Commuter Challenge June 4-10, 2006
Commuter Challenge is a national program that aims to increase the awareness of the benefits of sustainable commuting and to encourage Canadians to take action by walking, cycling, taking transit, carpooling or tele-working instead of driving alone to get work.
Clean Air Day June 7, 2006
The Government of Canada proclaimed Clean Air Day as part of Canadian Environment Week to increase public awareness about air quality and climate change.
Ontario Tobacco Control Conference 2006: Investing in Social Change
December 4-6, 2006, Niagra Falls On...
Ontario Tobacco Control workers and volunteers celebrate how far they've come in tobacco control, present their findings, and see what the next steps will be moving forward.
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More Information:
For more information or to suggest topics you'd like addressed in future bulletins, please contact Gretchen Sangster of Together 4 Health's Workplace Wellness Work Group at (519) 883-2008
ext. 5292 or by email at ebulletin@together4health.ca.
Check the Together4Health website for more information.
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