Reynolds to introduce no-smoking policy

From next year, Reynolds American and its subsidiaries will launch a no-smoking policy within its facilities, outside of designated smoking areas, according to a story by Richard Craver for the Winston-Salem Journal.

Reynolds designated its downtown Winston-Salem headquarters smoke-free on May 8, the day of its annual shareholder meeting, following requests from attendees. And smoke-free policies already applied to the company’s manufacturing floor, cafeterias and fitness rooms.

Employees were told of the new restrictions on Wednesday.

These mean no more smoking of traditional cigarettes, cigars and pipes at desks, in conference rooms, elevators and in hallways, spokesman David Howard said. The policy applied to all employees, he added.

From January 1, what will remain permissible in most indoor areas will be the consumption of electronic cigarettes; heat-or-burn cigarettes, such as Reynolds’ Eclipse brand; moist snuff; and snus.

“We will restrict traditional smoking to the designated areas as they are put together in 2015 and 2016,” Howard was quoted as saying.

“The bottom line is that we believe it is the right thing to do, updating our tobacco usage policies, at the right time to do it. The policy change will better accommodate non-smokers and visitors to our facilities.”