Bioforce, Irvine – A natural place for no smoking
Bioforce, a manufacturer and distributor of organic herbal remedies, has been operating in Ayrshire since 1987 and has been completely no-smoking from the outset.
As a promoter of good health in all its forms, management considered it only natural that the no-smoking policy should underpin the company ethos.
Signs are displayed in office areas and in the warehouse, and visitors are informed on entering the building that they are not allowed to smoke.
The policy is not, and never has been, an issue for staff and customers. Catherine Lang, Bioforce communications manager, explains that customers who work in the health food industry would expect nothing less of the company. Non-smoking staff are said to be delighted by the clean atmosphere, and smoking staff respect the ban and understand the health reasons behind its implementation.
Bioforce's no-smoking policy is enforced not only in the building but also in the surrounding grounds. The company have been very supportive to staff who want to give up smoking – encouragement is provided to attend smoke aversion classes, and the company provides nicotine replacement patches on request. At least two staff members have completely kicked the habit.
Catherine's advice to those who are worried about introducing a similar policy would be:
"Consult, do not impose – explain the health risks for smokers and non-smokers alike. Underline the unfairness to those who have chosen not to smoke or those who have given up. You should set a date for implementation and adhere to it. Offer positive counselling and practical support to those who want to give up. Consider setting up a buddy system with non-smokers for those who want to give up. And finally, deal with compassion with anyone who is caught smoking – counsel rather than discipline."