Smoking bans are becoming stricter and more comprehensive for outdoor and indoor spaces. This fact sheet on Smokefree Indoor Air, showcases how many US states, such as California, New York, and New Jersey, have adopted smoke-free indoor air laws. However, there are still some areas where smoking laws aren’t as strict. As a salon owner, it’s a big responsibility for you to ensure that your salon remains smoke-free for the sake of your staff and clients’ health, regardless of the laws in your location.
Maintaining a smoke-free salon environment is not just about complying with regulations – it’s about prioritizing the health and well-being of both your staff and clients. Here are some of the best practices to ensure a fresh, healthy atmosphere in your salon:
Formalize your smoke-free policiy
Unclear rules on smoking in your salon may allow it to continue, which can severely impact the hygiene of your salon. This article outlines the importance of hygiene for beauty salons, including avoiding cross-contamination, ensuring a good experience and safety for clients, and maintaining your reputation. By enforcing smoke-free regulations in your salon, you can maintain its hygiene and boost your business in turn.
Whether your state has smoke-free air laws or not, it’s essential to enforce a clear and comprehensive smoke-free policy in your salon to ensure proper compliance from staff and clients. Communicate your smoke-free policy to all new and existing employees during onboarding and training. Inform clients via website, social media, appointment confirmations, and in-salon displays. Ensure your smoke-free policy is in your employee handbook, salon rules, and prominently displayed signage throughout the premises, including entrances, exits, and common areas. By strictly implementing smoke-free rules, you can maintain your salon’s hygiene and provide a clean and comfortable environment for staff and customers.
Encourage the use of smokeless alternatives
Smoke and tobacco from cigarettes and other tobacco products can harm the health of employees and customers and impact the hygiene of your salon. Instead of smoking cigarettes or vapes, encourage the use of smokeless alternatives. These products, including nicotine gum, patches, and pouches, deliver nicotine but don’t produce smoke or contain tobacco, making them more suitable to use in the salon.
Nicotine pouches are an emerging alternative thanks to the diverse range of flavors and strengths from various brands. You can tuck one under your lip and enjoy it for up to an hour, and it stays discreet and comfortable. Read more here to discover pouch brands like ZYN, VELO, and Rogue and how to buy them online. Nicotine patches are also a top alternative, and they’re a convenient option for salon staff since they can be worn for up to 24 hours. They can help reduce cravings and withdrawals so you aren’t bogged down while working, allowing you to give your best service to your clients. Click here to learn more about how to use nicotine patches and other stop-smoking aids to ensure a smoke-free salon environment.
Avoid smoking outdoors
Even if you keep smoking indoors banned, permitting smoking outdoors or creating a smoking zone outside may still not be helpful for your salon. It can promote litter, cause unpleasant smells, and inconvenience others in the area. These issues can also prevent new clients from doing business with you. Keeping your salon smoke-free inside and out is your best bet for ensuring a pleasant salon environment and experience.
Your state or city may already have smoking laws in place, so do take the time to research the regulations and remind staff and clients about them regularly. Don’t put up smoking areas that can encourage the use of cigarettes, even within a small area. You can place no smoking signs outside to serve as a reminder to all those in the vicinity, allowing you to maintain the appearance of your salon’s exterior and create an inviting atmosphere.
By implementing these best practices, you can create a smoke-free salon that prioritizes the health and well-being of everyone within your premises. Restricting cigarettes can save you a lot of money and effort that you would have used on cleaning, maintenance, and making up for poor employee performance, giving you more resources to grow your business. Check out our post on ways to expand your salon to attract more clients and wow them with your impeccable services and environment.
If you’re looking for a space for your beauty or barbering business, ShearShare can help you find a flexible, secure space to work when and where you need it. Visit our website to learn more about our plans and listings.
