The following guide forms part of the standard for workforce policies. These policies apply to all eligible staff within NHSScotland, regardless of the board you are employed by.

What is the purpose of the Smoking and Vaping Policy?

The policy aims to provide a framework to: 

• Improve employee health by offering support to those who smoke or vape and would like to stop. 
• Support employees’ legal rights to be protected from exposure to tobacco smoke and the harmful effects of second-hand smoke. 

Who is covered by this policy?

This policy applies to everyone working within NHSScotland. That includes all employees, plus bank, agency, and sessional workers, volunteers, contractors, and anyone on placement, such as students or trainees.

Manager responsibilities

As a manager, you are expected to:

• Implement the policy in your work area and ensure your team understands the rules.
• Support any employee who wants to stop smoking by directing them to the help available.

Commitment to a smoke-free environment

To protect everyone's health, there are strict rules on smoking and vaping.

Legal no-smoking zone

By law, smoking is not permitted within 15 metres of any NHSScotland hospital building.

General rules

Smoking and vaping are not permitted:

• anywhere on NHSScotland premises or grounds, including car parks
• in any NHSScotland vehicle
• in any personal vehicle while on NHSScotland grounds, whether in uniform or not

You must inform employees that breaking these rules may be considered misconduct and will be managed under the NHSScotland Conduct Policy. You should also clarify that employees are not permitted to smoke or vape while in uniform or when they can be identified as being on-duty.

Designated smoking areas 

NHSScotland Boards do not provide designated smoking areas for employees. Most health service premises will not require designated smoking areas.  

You should remind employees that they will not be granted longer or more frequent breaks than their non-smoking colleagues. 

Support to stop smoking 

If an employee tells you they want to stop smoking, your role is to be supportive. You should direct them to Quit Your Way, Scotland's free stop-smoking service, and support them on their journey to becoming smoke-free.

Useful links

• The Prohibition of Smoking Outside Hospital Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2022
• Smoke-free Scotland - Guidance on smoking policies for the NHS, local authorities and care service providers
• How to quit vaping
• Quit Your Way Scotland

Quit Your Way Scotland can also be contacted on 0800 84 84 84.