HomeMy WebLinkAbout300-39POLICY & PROCEDURE
Subject: Smoking and Tobacco Policy for City Employees Index: Human Resources & Risk
Management
Number: 300-39
Effective Date:
April 14, 2021
Supersedes:
1/1/93
Page:
1 of 3
Staff Contact:
Ellen Bradley-Mak
Approved By:
1.0 PURPOSE:
The City of Renton is committed to providing a safe, healthy environment for all
employees and visitors. This policy is in place to protect employees and visitors from
being exposed to secondhand smoke, maintain a safe and healthful working
environment, and promote the protection of City property.
1.1 As required by Chapter 70.160 and King County’s Smoking in Public Places
Regulations (King County Board of Health Code, Title, 19), smoking and the use
of electronic smoking devices commonly known as e-cigarettes are prohibited in
all City workplaces, facilities, and within twenty-five (25) feet of entrances, exits,
windows that open and ventilation intakes of City facilities. This includes all work
areas where staff and visitors and/or sensitive equipment may be subject to the
effects of smoke as well as any maintenance area, parking garage, and city-
owned vehicle.
2.0 ORGANIZATIONS AFFECTED:
All city departments and divisions
3.0 REFERENCES:
3.1 RCW 70.160
3.2 RCW 70.345
3.3 Code of the King County Board of Health, Title 19.03, Regulation of Smoking in
Public Places and Places of Employment
3.4 City of Renton Policy & Procedure 300-47 Discipline
4.0 POLICY:
4.1 Smoking, the use of tobacco products, and the use of electronic smoking devices
shall be prohibited in all city-owned or operated facilities including:
300-39 Smoking and Tobacco Policy for City Employees
p. 2
4.1.1 All city-owned vehicles.
4.1.2 In all work areas where staff and visitors and/or sensitive equipment may
be subject to the effects of smoke, including but not limited to, restrooms,
conference rooms, stairways, break rooms, and other common areas.
4.1.3 Within twenty-five feet from entrances, exits, windows that open, and
ventilation intakes that serve an enclosed area where smoking is prohibited.
4.1.4 Any city owned or leased parking garage.
5.0 DEFINITIONS:
5.1 Smoke (as defined by RCW 70.160.020): Shall include the smoking or carrying of
any kind of lighted pipe, cigar, cigarette, or any other lighted smoking
equipment.
5.2 Electronic Smoking Devices: Shall include any vapor products, electronic
cigarette, electronic cigar, electronic cigarillo, electronic pipe or similar product
or device and any vapor cartridge or other container that may contain nicotine in
a solution or other form that is intended to be used with or in any of the devices
listed above.
5.3 City Facility: Shall include any enclosed facility owned or operated by the City of
Renton municipal corporation that is frequented by the public or represents the
workstation for a city employee.
5.4 Tobacco products: Shall include tobacco chew or smokeless tobacco.
6.0 PROCEDURES:
6.1 The effectiveness of this policy shall depend largely on the understanding and
cooperation of city employees and the public.
6.1.1 Employee Violation: Complaints of violation of the policy should be
directed to the supervisor or department head responsible for notifying
the violator of the pertinent portions of this policy. Disciplinary
procedures will be followed and applied based on the circumstances of
the violation.
6.1.2 Visitors Violation: Since smoking and use of electronic smoking devices
are prohibited for visitors who come into City buildings and facilities, the
following enforcement steps will apply:
6.1.2.1 The work area supervisor or department head will advise the
violator that they are in violation of King County Regulations.
300-39 Smoking and Tobacco Policy for City Employees
p. 3
6.1.2.2 If the violation continues, the supervisor or department head will
ask the visitor to leave the property.
6.1.2.3 Continued noncompliance will result in the supervisor or
department head referring the complaint to the Police
Department for enforcement pursuant to RCW 70.160.070.
6.1.3 Employees must appropriately dispose of their smoking or tobacco by-
product(s) prior to returning to official duties.
6.1.4 Signage: The Facilities division shall be responsible for appropriate
signage of all City-owned facilities as it pertains to posting smoking or
non-smoking areas.