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It's the smoking, not the smoker. Remembering this can help you think clearly and communicate cleanly. For instance, people who smoke are welcome. Smoking isn't. If an employee takes too much time away from work to smoke, treat it as you would any other abuse of break time. If smokers complain you're making them go outside into the cold or heat or rain, recognize it's their nicotine addiction that is "driving them outside". People don't like to be told what to do. So, instead of telling people not to smoke, or to step outside, just tell them, "It's against the law to smoke indoors in New Jersey." Most people can figure out how to respond to that fact. To
handle resistant smokers, just cite the law and don't get drawn
into arguments. Use the "broken record" assertiveness
technique, for a dialogue like this: "Sir, it's against the
law to smoke indoors in New Jersey." "Really?" "Yes,
we're covered by the new smokefree air law." "But I just
lit up." "It's illegal to smoke here." "Are
you telling me to put it out?" "The law makes indoor places
smokefree and requires me to tell patrons about the law." "Do
you want me to leave?" "No, you're very welcome. But New
Jersey law makes this place smokefree." Please note: The information presented on this website is not intended as, nor to be construed, or used, as legal advice, and should not be used to replace the advice of your legal counsel.
This
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