Implementation of tobacco-free workplace policies in a mental health setting

Audience: Groups implementing public health policy, mental healthcare providers

Key Points: Smokers with serious mental illness and addiction have a life expectancy 25 years shorter than the general population. In Travis County, 30.1% of the population with frequent mental distress are current smokers, compared to 17.2% of the general population. These health disparities compelled Austin Travis County Integral Care, the local authority for behavior health and developmental disabilities in Travis County, to implement a tobacco-free workplace policy. Such targeted policies were encouraged for specific populations experiencing tobacco-related health disparities as part of our community-wide multi-faceted strategy to reduce tobacco use in Travis County. Integral Care enacted its tobacco-free policy as part of its commitment to provide a healthy and safe environment for its employees, consumers and visitors and its mission to improve the overall mental health and wellbeing of its consumers. The tobacco-free campus policy by Integral Care involved extensive communication with decision makers, staff and clients. A pre-policy survey of staff members regarding tobacco use and attitudes was essential to establish staff needs and knowledge as well as identify and address potential barriers to implementation. A variety of tobacco-cessation resources were made available to clients and staff as part of the promotion and planning of the policy.

Educational Experience: This presentation will highlight the policy development process, discuss methods for policy enforcement, and describe evaluation of the policy effectiveness.

Benefits: The audience will understand the process of successful implementation of a tobacco-free worksite policy in a mental health setting.