= Whitburn Church of England School

No-Smoking Policy

To be implemented April 1^st 2007

1. Introduction

· &nb= sp; Whitburn Church of England School Governing = Body believes that all employees have the right to work in an environment that is ‘safe, without risks to health and adequate as regards facilities and arrangements at work’. Section 2 (2) (e) of the Health and Safety at = Work Act.

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· &nb= sp; Smoking is the largest preventable cause of = ill health and mortality. The Governing Body recognise that smoking not only affects smokers, but also non-smokers through passive smoking and therefore seeks to protect and improve the health of employees, pupils, visitors and contractors.

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· &nb= sp; This policy seeks to establish a smoke-free environment for all who wish it, whilst being sensitive to the needs of tho= se who smoke and offering support to those who wish to give up.

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· &nb= sp; The policy is written in line with the White= Paper on public health ‘Choosing Health’ which states that all govern= ment departments will be smoke-free by the end of 2006. This policy will come in= to effect at Whitburn Church of England School on 1^st April 2007.

2. Scope of the Policy

· &nb= sp; As a school we believe that everyone connect= ed with us has a responsibility to be actively involved in the implementation = of our no-smoking policy, and to assist in taking all necessary and appropriate steps to ensure its full implementation.

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· &nb= sp; Therefore this policy applies to all employe= es of Whitburn Church of England School, pupils, governors, volunteers, visito= rs, contractors, and staff of other organisations that share our use of the premises. This also extends t= o employees representing the Council during the course of their work on other premises.=

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3. General Principles

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The policy seeks to

· &nb= sp; Guarantee a healthy working environment and protect the current and future health of employees, pupils and visitors.

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· &nb= sp; Guarantee non-smokers the right to an environment free of tobacco smoke.

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· &nb= sp; Comply with Health and Safety Legislation and Employment Law.

· &nb= sp; Raise awareness of the dangers associated wi= th exposure to tobacco smoke.

· &nb= sp; Take account of the needs of those who smoke= and to support those who wish to stop.

· &nb= sp; Whitburn Church of England School Governing = Body recognises that there are some employees, pupils and visitors who may have difficulty in stopping smoking but is committed to supporting those individ= uals who wish to cease, either permanently or for working hours.

4. Definition

·          The Smoke Free Policy covers all types of bu= rnt and smoked products including cigarettes, tobacco and non tobacco cigarette products.

5. Restrictions on Smoking<= /b>

·         &nb= sp;    Smoking is not permitted in the grounds of Whitburn Church of England School or in any buildings on our site. Smoking will not be allowed at any = school function or anywhere on the premises including;

<= span style=3D'mso-list:Ignore'>o&nb= sp;      All school buildings

<= span style=3D'mso-list:Ignore'>o&nb= sp;      All school grounds (including the playing fields)

<= span style=3D'mso-list:Ignore'>o&nb= sp;      All off-site activities

<= span style=3D'mso-list:Ignore'>o&nb= sp;      All educational and other visits

<= span style=3D'mso-list:Ignore'>o&nb= sp;      All Community Association activities

<= span style=3D'mso-list:Ignore'>o&nb= sp;      All other outside lettings

·         &nb= sp;    Smoking is not permitted at entrances/exits = to Whitburn Church of England School buildings or site.

·         &nb= sp;    Site users, including members of staff leavi= ng the site, are expected not to smoke within 100m of the boundary.

·         &nb= sp;    Staff are not permitted to leave the site to smoke during the short non-statutory daily break. This is due to the fact there is insufficient time available for staff to sign out, leave the site to smoke = and to sign back in. However staf= f can leave the site during their statutory lunchtime break for any reason.

6. Vehicles

·         &nb= sp;     Smoking is prohibited in all Whitburn Church= of England School vehicles, any vehicles being used on School business e.g. hi= re vehicles, and in private vehicles parked on the school site.

7. Adequate Signage

·         &nb= sp;     Adequate signage will be prominently display= ed at the entrances to buildings, and other necessary locations throughout the site re-enforcing and identifying that Whitburn Church of England School operates a no-smoking policy.

8. Policy Implementation

·         &nb= sp;     Visitors will be informed of the policy on a= ttendance to the site either at admission or through signage.

·         &nb= sp;     All prospective employees and new employees = will be advised of the policy through either Job Application Information Package= s, the School’s Induction Training Programme or directly by their line m= anagers.

·         &nb= sp;     All employees will have access to the Policy= and offers of employment will not discriminate against those candidates who smo= ke.

·         &nb= sp;     Line managers are responsible for making sure that:

<= span style=3D'mso-list:Ignore'>o&nb= sp;    Individual staff know, understand and comply= with this policy;

<= span style=3D'mso-list:Ignore'>o&nb= sp;    Contractors or no= n-Whitburn Church of England School employees know= , understand and comply with this policy;

<= span style=3D'mso-list:Ignore'>o&nb= sp;    Action is taken against anyone contravening = the policy; and

<= span style=3D'mso-list:Ignore'>o&nb= sp;    Application of this policy is monitored in individual areas.

·         &nb= sp;     Employees are personally responsible for complying with this policy and also for making sure that visitors are aware= of and comply with this policy.

·         &nb= sp;     Employees that feel uncomfortable approaching those smoking and in breach of this policy are encouraged to report this to= the Headteacher. Employees are no= t expected to enter into any confrontation which may put their personal safety at risk= .

·         &nb= sp;     The only exception to this policy is when a smoking machine is used in Science lessons to educate pupils about the harm= ful effects of smoking.

9.   Consultation<= /p>

·         &nb= sp;     This draft policy has been drawn up to allow full consultation with the Staff, Health and Safety Committee, and with Tra= de Union Representatives.

10. Sanctions

·         &nb= sp;     Breach of this policy will be regarded as misconduct, and will be subject to the School’s normal disciplinary procedures.

·         &nb= sp;     Visitors who smoke on the premises will be a= sked not to smoke and will be reminded of this policy. Persistent offenders will be barred= from the site.

·         &nb= sp;     From 1^st July 2007 No Smoking Enforcement Officers employed by South Tyneside Council will be authorised = to issue the following penalties to those who fail to comply with the legislat= ion. The final penalty amount will= be decided by a court rather than the local authority;

·         &nb= sp;     Fai= lure to display the minimum number no smoking signs

        &= nbsp; Up to £1000 or a fixed penalty notice

·         &nb= sp;     Smo= king in a no-smoking place

        &= nbsp; Up to £200 or a penalty notice of £50

·         &nb= sp;     Fai= ling to prevent smoking in a smoke-free place

        &= nbsp; Up to £2500

·         &nb= sp;     If pupils are caught smoking, parents/carers will be contacted via telephone and letter, explaining the circumstances and the school’s no-smoking policy. Pupils will also be given a “= grounding” and the incident will be recorded in the pupil’s behaviour log. The p= upil will be referred to the School Nurse for cessation advice. If a pupil is caught smoking on subsequent occasions then a fixed penalty notice of £50 will be incur= red per incident. Parents / carers will be liable to pay for pupils aged 14 and under as these are classed as minors. Pupils aged over 14 will be liable for payment. In the event that a pupil aged over 14 is unable to afford the fee incurred, then parents / carers will be asked for payment. Exclusion may be considered for persistent offenders.

11. Help for those who smoke

·         &nb= sp;     This policy recognises that passive smoking = adversely affects the health of all employees. It is concerned not only with where pe= ople smoke but the affect that this has on no-smoking colleagues. However it is recognised that the p= olicy may impact on smokers’ working lives.

·         &nb= sp;     In an effort to help individuals adjust to t= he change, Occupational Health will provide cessation advice and support to em= ployees. The NHS smoking helpline (080= 0 169 0169) is also available to employees to access and gives help and advice to smokers to quit, and can offer information on where to access local NHS cessation services.

12. Review

·         &nb= sp;     This policy will be reviewed in January 2008= .