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Item Number: H.4. CITY COUNCIL REPORT SUBJECT: The policy prohibits the use of all tobacco and nicotine products by employees during working hours and on any city-owned, leased, or controlled property. The policy also requires that any use of such products during non-working hours (e.g., rest or meal breaks) occur at least 300 feet away from city property. MEETING DATE: April 8, 2025 TO: Mayor and Council FROM: Wendy Jackson, Deputy City Manager/Employee Resources Director REVIEWED: Reyes Medrano Jr., City Manager PURPOSE: The primary goal of Policy 617 is to support the City’s commitment to a safe, professional, and health-conscious work environment. By restricting smoking and tobacco use during duty hours and near city facilities, the City seeks to reduce potential health risks, and promote employee wellness, BACKGROUND: Smoking policies have traditionally allowed for designated outdoor areas or unsupervised discretion among employees. However, to align with best practices in public sector employment and reduce tobacco-related impacts in the workplace, a new policy has been drafted. Policy 617 prohibits the use of: • Cigarettes and cigars • Pipes, chewing tobacco, snuff • E-cigarettes, vaporizers, nicotine pouches, and other smokeless alternatives Under the policy, no designated smoking areas will be provided. Any use of tobacco products during meal or rest breaks must occur at least 300 feet away from any city-owned or controlled property. DISCUSSION: As part of the City's commitment to employee wellness, we will provide access to smoking cessation support for employees who wish to quit using tobacco or nicotine products. Resources may include referrals to counseling services, nicotine replacement therapies, and enrollment in cessation programs through the City’s health insurance provider or community partners. These supportive measures are intended to assist employees in making healthy lifestyle changes and to promote long-term success in achieving a tobacco-free workforce. BUDGET IMPACT: • Direct Costs: Minimal, limited to installation of no-smoking signage and updates to employee communication materials. • Indirect Benefits: o Reduced healthcare-related expenditures o Fewer smoke-related maintenance issues (e.g., litter, ventilation) o Improved worker productivity and time efficiency These minor costs are expected to be absorbed into existing departmental budgets without additional allocations. RECOMMENDATION: City Management recommends that the City Council approve Policy 617 – Smoking and Tobacco Use Prohibition, as drafted, and authorize the renumbering of all subsequent Employee Handbook policies to reflect the addition of this new policy. Furthermore, it is recommended that the policy becomes effective on July 1, 2025, allowing sufficient time for employee notification, training, and access to smoking cessation support resources prior to implementation. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Smoking_and_Tobacco_Use 7.1.2025