Catch22 reserves the right to amend this policy, following consultation, where appropriate.
Date of last review: October 2025
Date of next review: August 2026
What is the policy about?
Catch22 Colleges are committed to providing a safe, healthy, and smoke-free environment for all learners, staff, contractors, and visitors in line with the following legislation:
- The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
- Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
- The Smoke-free (Premises and Enforcement) Regulations 2006
This policy aims to protect everyone on Catch22 College sites from the harmful effects of smoking and vaping, including second-hand exposure, while promoting health awareness and encouraging cessation.
Who does this policy apply to?
This policy applies to:
- All learners, staff, agency workers, contractors, and visitors on Catch22 College premises.
- All enclosed and outdoor areas of the college, including college-owned or hired vehicles.
Policy requirements
Smoke-free and vape-free environment
- Smoking and vaping (including e-cigarettes and similar devices) are prohibited across all Catch22 College buildings and grounds, except for designated smoking/vaping areas.
- Smoking and vaping are not permitted in college-owned or hired vehicles or private vehicles used for college business.
Designated smoking/vaping areas
- Designated smoking/vaping areas are clearly signposted at each Catch22 College site.
- All users must dispose of cigarette butts and vaping devices responsibly using provided ashbins and recycling bins.
Breaks for smoking/vaping
- Smoking or vaping during work hours is only permitted during designated breaks and must take place within designated areas or off-site.
Awareness and support
- Catch22 Colleges will collaborate with internal and external initiatives to raise awareness about the health risks of smoking and vaping.
- Support for quitting smoking or vaping will be provided through:
- Signposting to NHS and other external cessation services.
- Resources shared via college communications and staff/learner inductions.
Implementation and enforcement
- Induction and Awareness: This policy will be communicated to all learners, staff, contractors, and visitors through inductions, signage, and written communications.
- Compliance: Managers and staff are responsible for ensuring compliance. Any non-compliance will result in:
- Verbal reminders for minor infractions.
- Disciplinary action under the staff or learner disciplinary procedures for repeated or serious breaches.
Supporting health and wellbeing
- Catch22 Colleges encourage staff and learners to quit smoking or vaping. Support services include:
- Guidance and resources shared during inductions.
- Referrals to local stop-smoking initiatives.
- Access to well-being support apps or staff/learner counselling services.
Related policies
- Induction & New Start Policy – Catch22 Colleges
- Health & Safety Policy – Catch22 Colleges
- Behaviour and Code of Conduct Policy – Catch22 Colleges
- Catch22 Code of Conduct
- Catch22 Health & Safety Policy
- Catch22 College Safeguarding Policy