1. The SPCB is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all passholders and visitors. Part of this commitment includes minimising the risks caused by passive smoking. With these commitments and legal responsibilities in mind, the policy has been developed to protect all building users from exposure to second-hand smoke and to assist compliance with the Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Act 2005.

Who is covered by this policy?

2. The policy applies to all users of the buildings, including all SPCB staff, MSPs and their staff, agency staff, contractors, volunteers and visitors. If you are responsible for any contractors, volunteers or visitors, you must ensure that they are aware of and comply with this policy.

What is the policy?

3. It is the policy of the SPCB that all of our enclosed workplaces, as well as certain other areas within the Parliamentary campus, are smoke-free.

Where can’t I smoke?

4. You may not smoke in any of the buildings in the Parliamentary campus, including the car park, as well as the garden area, delivery service area, main public entrance, Canongate entrance, Queensberry House entrance, other doorways and fire exits.

Where can I smoke?

5. You may smoke in the designated area of the courtyard outside Queensberry House. If you are using this designated area, please only smoke in the vicinity of the bins provided. These bins have been placed away from the building in order to prevent any smoke permeating through the windows of those offices that face on to the courtyard.    Please also be considerate of the impact of noise levels on those working in rooms facing on to the courtyard.

6. You can also smoke in the public part of the Parliament’s grounds or you can choose to leave the Parliamentary campus. You should move a reasonable distance away from the buildings and ensure that you do not get in the way of others or be a nuisance to any of our neighbours. You should also refrain from dropping any litter. Environmental wardens patrol this area and will issue an on-the-spot fine for anyone caught doing so. Please also remember that you should not wear your pass when outside the parliamentary complex.

Implementation of the policy

7. Overall responsibility for policy implementation and review rests with the SPCB. Everyone is obliged to adhere to, and facilitate the implementation of the policy.

8. Appropriate action will be taken to inform all new and existing SPCB staff, MSPs and their staff, agency staff, contractors, volunteers and other building users of the policy and their role in the implementation and monitoring of the policy.

9. Appropriate ‘No Smoking’ signs will be clearly displayed at the entrances to and within the premises.

10. Any complaint can be made to Facilities Management on 0131 348 5100 or by contacting the Visitor Services desk.

11. The policy will be monitored and reviewed on a regular basis.

What if I decide not to comply?

12. If you do not comply with this policy, and you are a member of SPCB staff, you may be subject to disciplinary action as set out in the disciplinary procedures.

13. If you are not a member of SPCB staff, then any incidents will be reported to the relevant office/employer. Members will be aware that the Code of Conduct for members makes reference to the SPCB smoking policy.

14. Further, since it is against the law to smoke in enclosed public places, you may also be liable to a fixed penalty fine and possible criminal prosecution.

Will you give me help and support if I want to give up smoking?

15. If you are a SPCB employee, we will pay for half of the cost of nicotine replacement therapy up to a maximum of £275 per annum. Alternatively, if you want to participate in Allen Carr’s Easyway to Stop Smoking Therapy session, we will re-imburse 50% of the cost. The session costs around £212.

16. The SPCB has also authorised MSPs to subsidise their staff to the same amount if they wish to participate in an Allen Carr session.

17. In order to make the service more affordable, we will pay the full amount direct to the company offering the service and recover your contribution from your salary over a 3/6-month period, depending on what is most suitable for you.

18. If you are interested in these methods to help you give up smoking, please contact Irene Henderson in the Personnel Office on Ext 86636.

19. You will find further information and details of how you can gain support to give up smoking in the attached Annex.