In order that we may properly promote the health, safety and wellness of our employees, to eliminate the well-known risks associated to second-hand smoke, as well as to enhance the quality of life of all those whom we serve including residents who may visit our public City facilities and related areas; and in part to implement Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3794 (Smoke-Free Workplace Law), the City of North Ridgeville establishes a tobacco-free workplace environment.

 

As used in this Policy:

 

(A) “Employee” means a person who is employed by the City of North Ridgeville, with or without compensation.

 

(B) “Place of employment” means an enclosed or open area under the direct or indirect control of the City of North Ridgeville that the City’s employees use for work, or any other purpose, including but not limited to, offices, meeting rooms, sales, operations and storage areas, restrooms, stairways, hallways, warehouses, garages, and vehicles. The areas as described above are places of employment without regard to the time of day or the presence of employees.

 

(C) “Public place” means any city-owned, rented, or leased, enclosed or open area incorporating or part of a City facility, City park area, or any other City premises to which the public is invited or in which the public is permitted.

 

(D) “Visitor” to public City facilities or related areas, means a person who may or may not be a City resident but who for whatever reason is present at such public places as defined above, including but not limited to persons who contract with the city or third parties who otherwise perform services.

 

(E) “Use of tobacco” means all uses of tobacco, including inhaling, exhaling, burning, vaping or carrying any lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe, vaporizer, other lighted smoking device or papers for burning tobacco, or any other plant; chewing tobacco, snuff, or any other matter or substances that contain tobacco.

 

Effective as of January 1, 2017, the use of tobacco is prohibited at all times:

Employees and visitors will be informed of the tobacco-free workplace environment policy through signs of sufficient size and type for visibility posted in City facilities/places/parks and City vehicles. All employees and visitors to such City places are expected to comply with this policy. Individuals are encouraged and empowered to respectfully inform others about this policy in an ongoing effort to support individuals to be tobacco-free, improve individual health, and encourage a culture of compliance. Further, employees will receive policy distribution and orientation by their supervisors.

 

“No Tobacco Use” signs and/or the international “No Smoking” symbol (consisting of a pictorial representation of a burning cigarette enclosed in a red circle with a red bar across it shall be conspicuously posted in every public City facility/places/parks and City place of employment where tobacco use is prohibited by this policy, including at each entrance to the public place, City facility or park. Signs shall be of sufficient size to be clearly legible to a person of normal vision throughout the areas they are intended to mark. All violations shall be reported to City management of the particular City facility involved. Appropriate follow-up, discipline, and/or further action shall be considered by the City’s Mayor or his designee in the instance of City employees.

 

(A) The success of this policy depends upon the thoughtfulness, consideration, and cooperation of tobacco users and non-tobacco users. Supervisors, employees and visitors share the responsibility for adhering to and enforcing the policy.

 

(B) Concerns about tobacco use by visitors whether residents or others should be respectfully addressed the moment they appear to occur.

 

(C) Any violation of this policy by City of North Ridgeville employees will be handled through the standard disciplinary process. This approach involves a series of disciplinary actions that may become progressively more severe if an employee commits repeated violations.

 

(D) No person shall tamper with, deface, or remove any posted sign that prohibits use of tobacco.

 

(E) Lack of intent to violate a provision of this policy shall not be a defense to a violation.

 

(F) No person nor the City as employer shall in any manner retaliate against an individual for exercising any right, including reporting a violation, or performing any obligation under this policy.

 

(G) The City’s enforcement of this policy is in addition to any other enforcement provisions, penalties or remedies otherwise authorized for such violations under State law.

 

The Lorain County General Health District offers “Tools to Quit.” You can access their website at loraincountyhealth.com or visit the City’s website at nridgeville.org for more information. Also, the Ohio Tobacco Quit Line offers free tobacco and coaching service to help you quit using all forms of tobacco. To enroll, call the toll-free Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669).

 

Any questions or concerns relating to this Tobacco-Free Workplace Environment Policy can be directed to the Mayor at (440) 490-2042.