Smoking

In the Netherlands, you have the right to a smoke-free workplace. This means you are not allowed to smoke at your workplace. Your boss must make sure that everyone follows these rules. 

Smoke-free workplace 

The Tobacco and Related Products Act says that you have the right to a smoke-free workplace. This means that you cannot smoke cigarettes or use a vape or waterpipe inside the building or in company cars. The building must be smoke-free even if business hours are over. 

Exception 

If you work in home care and you are visiting someone's home, the Tobacco and Related Products Act does not apply. Your patient or customer is allowed to smoke in their own home. If you still want to have a smoke-free workplace, ask your boss if you can work for a patient who does not smoke. If this is not possible, try to come to an arrangement with your patient. For example, your patient might agree not smoke while you are in their home. 

Smoking break 

In the Netherlands, you have no right to additional breaks so that you can smoke. If you work 5.5 hours, you have a right to a 30-minute break. You can also use this time to smoke at work. Read more about breaks and working hours. 

Smoking policy 

Your boss might have arrangements in place for smoking at work. These arrangements are set out in the company's smoking policy. It might say that you are not allowed to smoke during working hours, or that you are allowed to take up to a specific number of smoking breaks each day. In some cases, your boss deducts smoking breaks from the hours you have worked. This means your wages will be lower. Ask your boss what the arrangements are when it comes to smoking at work.