Equality Impact Assessment

Lead officer(s)

Angela Shaw

Date relevance assessment conducted

12 Jun 2025

Which groups of people do you think will be, or potentially could be, impacted (positively or negatively) upon by the implementation of this policy?

People with disabilities : No

People from black and minority ethnic communities and different racial backgrounds : No

Women and men (boys and girls) : No

Older people : No

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people : No

People from different religions or beliefs and people with no belief : No

Women who are pregnant or on maternity leave : No

People who are married or in a civil partnership : No

Children and young people : No

Do you have evidence or reason to believe that this policy/function/review will, or may potentially impact on Children's Rights 4?

Not applicable

Do you have evidence or reason to believe that this policy/function/review will, or may potentially impact on Human Rights 8?

Not applicable

Do you have evidence or reason to believe that this policy/function/review will, or may potentially:

Eliminate discrimination faced by particular groups : low

Impact upon the promotion of equality of opportunity between particular groups : low

Impact upon good relations between particular groups : low

Does it have overall relevance to equality? low

Impact on communities, including communities of interest: low

Reduce inequalities of outcome caused by socio-economic disadvantage:

Equality impact assessment required?

No

Rationale for decision

A full EQIA is not deemed necessary as the is an update to the Smoking in the Workplace Policy which aims to provide healthy and safe working environment and protect its employees from the risk of tobacco induced ill-health, such as increased risk of cancer, respiratory conditions, cardiovascular conditions and other health conditions, East Ayrshire Council has in place a “No Smoking” Policy in all Council establishments, workplaces, vehicles, surrounding grounds and vehicles parked on Council grounds, in accordance with the legislative requirements set out within the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974; The Safety & Health of Pregnant Workers Directive 92/85/EEC; The Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Act 2005 and The Prohibition of Smoking in Certain Premises (Scotland) Regulations 2006. In addition, the 2013 Scottish Government document ‘Creating a Tobacco-Free Generation - A Tobacco Control Strategy for Scotland' required “all Local Authorities to have a well implemented Smoke Free Policy, covering building and grounds by 2015”.



This policy is being updated to recognise the Scottish Governments Tobacco and Vaping Framework: Roadmap to 2034, which incorporates the use of e-cigarettes, more commonly known as vapes. As well as the vapour produced being a potential annoyance to work colleagues, the Framework notes “although we do not fully understand the long-term effects vaping has on our health, emerging evidence indicates that they are not harm-free”.



The Council continues to be aware that for some employees, smoking is an addiction and support, and counselling will be offered to those employees who wish to stop smoking. Support is also available to employees who wish to stop vaping. A referral to the Council's Occupational Health Advisor will be arranged when requested by the employee.