×

Fareway to go nicotine, tobacco-free

Policy goes into effect on Jan. 1

Fareway Economical Food Stores, a large Midwest grocery company with a store in Webster City, announced that it will implement a tobacco and nicotine-free policy on Jan. 1, 2018. The policy prohibits smoking and the use of any other tobacco or tobacco-like products such as electronic cigarettes and chewing tobacco on all company property. Nicotine products approved by the Food and Drug Administration for cessation, are excluded from this policy.

“It is important to us at Fareway to create a healthy work environment for our employees and eliminating tobacco use from our campus is an integral part of that process,” said Matt Shannon, Webster City store manager. “This is a key step in building a strong foundation for future wellness initiatives.”

This policy is supported by [Hamilton County Public Health] and the American Lung Association in Iowa, who helped with the technical assistance in implementing the policy, education and tobacco cessation resources. Signage and cessation resources were made possible by the Iowa Department of Public Health, Community Partnership Grant.

“We believe that Fareway committing to a tobacco and nicotine-free workplace will have a significant impact on the health in our county,” said Claire Huffman, RN for Hamilton County Public Health. “Hopefully, the company will lead others to implement tobacco and nicotine-free policies to improve the health of their workers and the community as a whole.”

Fareway Economical Food Stores is one of the largest employers in Iowa and operates more than 100 store locations in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

“Tobacco is not only harmful to the health of employees, but is also proven to be very costly for the tobacco user and their employer,” said Beth Turner, senior manager of the Lung Association in Iowa. “Studies show that a tobacco and nicotine-free workplace saves money, creates a healthy and safe environment, reduces exposure to secondhand and thirdhand smoke, and even boosts morale and productivity.”

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $3.46/week.

Subscribe Today