Smoke-Free Workplace Policy

Policy Statement

Smoking is prohibited on all Government of Newfoundland and Labrador property including buildings, grounds, and parking lots and by employees who are carrying out their duties, regardless of location.

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Application

This policy applies to all employees of Government departments, as well as visitors and contractors on any Government-owned property. Bargaining unit employees should also consult their respective collective agreements and the provisions of the collective agreement shall prevail.

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Definitions

Smoking Means inhaling, exhaling, breathing, or carrying any lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe or other tobacco or cannabis product, or any vaping or e-cigarette device, in any manner or in any form.
Government Property Means all indoor buildings, government vehicles (owned or leased) and all outdoor property occupied by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, including grounds and parking lots.
Cannabis means cannabis as defined in the Cannabis Control Act.

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Roles and Responsibilities

Department

It is the responsibility of individual departments to:

  • Assist with communicating this policy to employees;
  • Provide a healthy working environment for employees; and
  • In consultation with Treasury Board Secretariat, provide employees with information on smoking cessation programs/supports.

Employee

It is the responsibility of employee to:

  • Respect the rights of others to a smoke-free work environment; and
  • Comply with this policy.

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Policy Administration

This policy applies to all employees and visitors entering onto all Government workplaces and properties including grounds and parking lots. This policy is in effect 24 hours a day. Any employee not complying with this policy may be subject to disciplinary action.

Cannabis use and/or possession is prohibited on Government-owned or occupied properties and vehicles. The use of cannabis pursuant to a medical authorization must be addressed in accordance with the Disability Accommodation Policy.

Work breaks will not be extended beyond that provided in employees’ respective collective agreements or Government’s human resource policy provisions.

Where accommodations are shared with individuals who are not subject to this policy (for example, prison inmates and residents in institutions), the responsible department should take all reasonable measures to minimize the effects of smoking on their own employees who must work in these locations.

Where a department shares a building with other employers or individuals who are not subject to this policy, the department must still apply the smoke-free policy to their own workplaces and take all reasonable and practical measures to minimize the effects of smoking on their own employees who must work in these locations.

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Smoking Cessation Programs- How We Can Help

Departments, in consultation with Treasury Board Secretariat, can provide information to employees on smoking cessation programs and available supports. At the discretion of the Deputy Minister, a department may provide financial support for any employee who wishes to participate in a smoking cessation program.

If an employee wishes to quit smoking, they may also connect with the Newfoundland and Labrador Smokers’ Helpline.

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Last Policy Update: September 27, 2023