Let smokers and non-smokers get together better in your events

With regard to the application of the new Non-Smoking Law, its is necessary to find solutions to accommodate both smokers and non-smokers in your events. Here are some ideas for an easy coexistence…

To smoke or not to smoke – This is a hot topic today. If your reception hall is non-smoking, you can fully expect smoker’s to leave your reception for 20 minutes every hour. This situation may be a problem if a large percentage of your guests are smokers; even if the programme is entertaining and manages to keep the smokers distracted, they will come sooner or later asking:”Where can I smoke?”

Decide beforehand if the event should allow smoking or not
Before selecting the location for your next meeting or event, do a quick survey to find out if there are many smokers among the attendants or check the old files if the event was a smoking event or not. This information will help you in the venue selection for the event: with garden or outdoor areas for smokers; with facilities properly equipped with smoke extractors and air purifiers. On the day of the event, put cards on the tables indicating the existence of a smoking area in the venue and inform attendants where it is located. Also, inform the attendants in the invitation or email with information if smoking is allowed in the event and where the smoking area located.

Select well equipped smoking facilities
In venues with smoking facilities, they should be separated from the rest of the rooms, as well as equipped with ventilation systems to avoid smoke getting into the rooms in which smoking is banned; also, the fact that smoking areas should not be a compulsory passing zone for non-smokers.

Comfortable and pleasant smoking rooms
When you have to have a smoking area in your event, make sure smokers feel comfortable in it, and that they are well indicated and easily found –you can even put fun signage to create a more relaxed atmosphere for smokers.
Put comfortable seating in the smoking area, and make sure there are plenty ashtrays and that they are regularly changed to avoid the accumulation of cigarette butts and the smell of smoke in the room. Also, make sure the room is equipped with a ventilation system, preferably with extractors and air purifiers. Another complementary option is to put candles and incense, to create a pleasant atmosphere and add some fragrance to the air.

Outdoor areas
If smoking areas are outdoors, make it comfortable by putting sufficient tables and chairs, as well as enough ashtrays (regularly changed and big enough to avoid guests to put out cigarettes on the ground). Outdoor areas area ideal in spring and summer; in winter, put outdoor heaters to keep the area warm.

Coffee breaks for smokers
Coffee breaks are when the smokers go take their puffs. If the smoking room is far away from the meeting room, ask a staff to be located outside the room or place various staff in different areas where the attendants go to smoke, and get them to inform the attendants when the break is over and that they go back too the meeting room. Also, ensure there is enough signage to indicate where the area is to avoid attendants getting lost.