Smoke-free workplaces in three European countries – Challenges and solutions
Abstract
Issue/problem: Many European workplaces have introduced smoking bans during worktime, but implementation is often inadequate and has many challenges. Smoke-free workplaces (SFW) improve employee health and increase productivity as well as provide a safer work environment. WHO FCTC and EUCO recommend smoke and aerosol free environments and effective tobacco cessation programs at workplaces.
Description of the problem: The current situation in four pilot workplaces in different fields and stages of implementation of SFW in Estonia, Hungary and Finland was surveyed during 2024-2025 using quantitative methods including open questions. The objective was to streamline SFW policy and serve as examples of good practice in EU.
Results: In Finland heads of unit (N = 594, RR = 67%)) and in Hungary employees (N = 1000, RR = 30,2%) of workplaces in the health sector, and in Estonia workers of a financial sector company (N = 2700, RR = 28%) and a manufacturing company (N = 215, RR = 69%) were studied. In Estonia perceived importance of SFW was higher among financial sector company employees (68%) compared to the manufacturing company (43%) while in Finland it was rated at 9,05/10 (0= not important, 10=very important). Perceived benefits of SFW in the three countries included improved employee health, cleaner and safer work environment, equal distribution of breaks, and a positive impact on employer image. The need for employer-supported cessation programs was identified. Challenges included inconsistent adherence and enforcement of workplace regulations and inadequate infrastructure for implementing smoke-free policies.
Lessons: A multi-level approach is required to successfully implement SFW policies, including employer commitment, management-led implementation, and employee participation. Additionally, tobacco and nicotine cessation services can be reimbursed by employers. Workplaces should identify the most practical way to implement SFW policy, and EU-wide criteria for SFW would be beneficial
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BibTeX
@article{sandstrom2026smokefree,
title = {{Smoke-free workplaces in three European countries – Challenges and solutions}},
author = {P Sandström and A Ranji and H Anthoni and K Kärner-Rebane and A Põlajev and F Mészáros and N Borbély},
journal = {The European Journal of Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.252},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.252},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Smoke-free workplaces in three European countries – Challenges and solutions
AU - P Sandström
AU - A Ranji
AU - H Anthoni
AU - K Kärner-Rebane
AU - A Põlajev
AU - F Mészáros
AU - N Borbély
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - The European Journal of Public Health
DO - 10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.252
UR - https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.252
AB - Issue/problem: Many European workplaces have introduced smoking bans during worktime, but implementation is often inadequate and has many challenges. Smoke-free workplaces (SFW) improve employee health and increase productivity as well as provide a safer work environment. WHO FCTC and EUCO recommend smoke and aerosol free environments and effective tobacco cessation programs at workplaces. Description of the problem: The current situation in four pilot workplaces in different fields and stages of implementation of SFW in Estonia, Hungary and Finland was surveyed during 2024-2025 using quantitative methods including open questions. The objective was to streamline SFW policy and serve as examples of good practice in EU. Results: In Finland heads of unit (N = 594, RR = 67%)) and in Hungary employees (N = 1000, RR = 30,2%) of workplaces in the health sector, and in Estonia workers of a financial sector company (N = 2700, RR = 28%) and a manufacturing company (N = 215, RR = 69%) were studied. In Estonia perceived importance of SFW was higher among financial sector company employees (68%) compared to the manufacturing company (43%) while in Finland it was rated at 9,05/10 (0= not important, 10=very important). Perceived benefits of SFW in the three countries included improved employee health, cleaner and safer work environment, equal distribution of breaks, and a positive impact on employer image. The need for employer-supported cessation programs was identified. Challenges included inconsistent adherence and enforcement of workplace regulations and inadequate infrastructure for implementing smoke-free policies. Lessons: A multi-level approach is required to successfully implement SFW policies, including employer commitment, management-led implementation, and employee participation. Additionally, tobacco and nicotine cessation services can be reimbursed by employers. Workplaces should identify the most practical way to implement SFW policy, and EU-wide criteria for SFW would be beneficial
SN - 1101-1262
SN - 1464-360X
ER -