BSO Tobacco Use Policy

Tobacco Use Policy

• The Florida Clean Indoor Air Act requires employers to develop, implement, and post a policy regarding smoking and nonsmoking areas.
• BSO (Broward Sheriff's Office) has a policy on tobacco use in all facilities and vehicles, complying with Florida Statutes.

Definitions and Prohibitions

• Tobacco products include but are not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, snuff, smokeless tobacco, etc.
• Use of tobacco products by any BSO employee is prohibited in any BSO facility owned or leased.
• BSO vehicles with evidence of tobacco use cannot be re-assigned to employees who do not use tobacco products.

Vehicle Use and Assignments

• Employees hired on or after January 1, 2011 are prohibited from using any tobacco product in any BSO vehicle, assigned or leased, marked or unmarked, on or off-duty.
• Employees hired prior to January 1, 2011 are permitted to continue using tobacco products in their current BSO-assigned vehicles, but may not be issued new/smoke-free replacement vehicles.
• If an employee is issued a new/smoke-free replacement vehicle, use of tobacco products will be prohibited regardless of date of hire.

Exceptions and Allowances

• Use of tobacco products in "pool cars" or Fire Rescue and Emergency Vehicles is prohibited as of January 1, 2011, regardless of date of hire.
• BSO employees may smoke in designated areas or out of the view of the public during breaks.
• Employees whose work assignments are in the confines of a BSO facility may smoke outside the facility during designated break times.
• Designated smoking areas are at the discretion of Command.

Signage and Posting

• No Smoking Area signs will be posted in the following places:
  • Entrances to BSO facilities
  • Visitors' lobbies
  • Restrooms
  • Employee lounges
  • Stairwells

Uniformed Employees

• Uniformed employees may not use tobacco products while:
  • In the public view (except during designated break times)
  • In formation
  • Leaving their assignment or post solely for the purpose of using tobacco products (except during designated break times)

Exemptions

• Deputies may use tobacco products if authorized by their supervisor for the special needs of their assignment (i.e., undercover operations).

Gambling Policy

• On-duty employees are prohibited from engaging in or participating in gambling while on or in a BSO facility.
• Employees are prohibited from engaging in illegal gambling at any time, except when:
  • Performing duty
  • Acting under a supervisor's proper and specific orders