No smoking policy

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in Babies, peds, pain management.

Today, my hospital went "no smoking" any where in the hospital or on the grounds (not even in your car). It is now a state law that all hospital s are "smoke-free". I think it's great, but I don't smoke. Some of the staff do and alot of our pts do. We will have orders for nicotine patches as needed for pts. But I was wondering how many other hospitals are going smoke-free and how they are handling the changes.

I remember at my first job, the nurses could smoke in the break room and pts could smoke in the rooms (w/o O2 of course). The times they are a-changing!

Specializes in Nursing Assistant/ Army Medic, LVN.

I quit smoking, so this dosn't really have much effect on me personally, but I think that telling someone they cannot smoke in their car (regardless of where the car is) is too much.

The local hospital here has the same policy, and I think it is a bit much.

People don't want their doctor or nurse smelling like cigarette smoke - I can totally understand this. (Now that I've gone almost 6 months without a smoke, I realize how stinky that stuff really is to non-smokers).

People don't want a crowd of smokers right outside the front (or ER or whatever) doors - I can understand this. Besides the fact that people have to run the "smoke gauntlet" (As some folks are very sensitive to smoke), smoke will tend to get 'sucked' into the building when the doors are opened.

But why can a person not smoke in his/her car??

Come on people - this isn't high school, and I'm not a kid. I'll do whatever I want in MY car. (Thank you very much.) :kiss

I don't smoke, but I say ROCK ON, car smokers!! :smokin: :smokin:

I quit smoking, so this dosn't really have much effect on me personally, but I think that telling someone they cannot smoke in their car (regardless of where the car is) is too much.

The local hospital here has the same policy, and I think it is a bit much.

People don't want their doctor or nurse smelling like cigarette smoke - I can totally understand this. (Now that I've gone almost 6 months without a smoke, I realize how stinky that stuff really is to non-smokers).

People don't want a crowd of smokers right outside the front (or ER or whatever) doors - I can understand this. Besides the fact that people have to run the "smoke gauntlet" (As some folks are very sensitive to smoke), smoke will tend to get 'sucked' into the building when the doors are opened.

But why can a person not smoke in his/her car??

Come on people - this isn't high school, and I'm not a kid. I'll do whatever I want in MY car. (Thank you very much.) :kiss

I don't smoke, but I say ROCK ON, car smokers!! :smokin: :smokin:

I get what you are saying, but the car smokers still reek of smoke when they come back in.

I too agree that there should not be any smoking in or just outside the hospital. I also agree that your car is your property and if you want to smoke in it then that is your decision.

I am a smoker and in the process of quitting so my opinion may be a little biased but I don't feel that it is at all fair to take someone's freedom of choice away. Like I said before, I understand the reasons that there would be no smoking in or around the hospital but what you do in your own car is your business.

I agree that this policy is going to in a way force a lot of people to quit and I guess that could be a good thing for their health, but not as good for their self dignity.

Specializes in IMCU/Telemetry.

A few months ago, I read news reports about company's that would fire you if you smoked..........ANYWHERE. And that includes home. I don't know how they got away with it, nor did I see a follow up report. I can't remember where I saw this or I'd post a link.

The company's reasoning for the smoking ban... It pushes up the medical insurance costs.

I am not, and have never been, a smoker. But I think what you do on your own time, in your own home, is your business and no-one else's.

Specializes in Nursing Assistant/ Army Medic, LVN.
I get what you are saying, but the car smokers still reek of smoke when they come back in.

Yeah, I hear ya. I guess it would be different for nurses and doctors than for others. Regular folks don't need to be as close up to anyone, ya know?

I guess my question is, was smoking on hospital grounds creating such a problem that it needed to be banned, or is it more of a "P.C." move??

We have a no smoking policy in the hospital AND all city buildings..libraries.........malls......and BARS are included.

Z

Specializes in Nursing Assistant/ Army Medic, LVN.

Banning smoking in (all) bars is SO wrong!!

When the hospital pays my car payment, they can tell me not to smoke in it.

Any company that demands no smoking at any time should also demand no drinking, reckless driving or speeding would be grounds for firing, and obesity should be considered a form of suicide.

Sorry, but my southern sense of personal freedom would be pushed to the max here.

Since when do patients care how they smell? So as long as I am clean, look professional, and act in a like manner, my smell unless too offensive, should be left alone. :angryfire

We have a no smoking policy in the hospital AND all city buildings..libraries.........malls......and BARS are included.

Z

I don't know where you are, but that's a HOT topic here. Especially since smoking is allowed in Native casinos, bars, etc. The average Joe is fighting with the courts over this right now because it's hurting their business. It's all pretty emtional.

I quit smoking cold turkey a year and a half ago. But I still think people should be allowed to smoke in their cars, at home, on their property, etc. If it's that much of an issue, ciagarettes should be made illegal, but the government doesn't want to give up that tax money.

Bars are for adults, as long as there is a smokefree area, then no ban should be placed on bars. When does it get back to the individual freedom of choice? :angryfire

Specializes in Nursing Assistant/ Army Medic, LVN.

How do people support this stuff??

I buy a bar (MINE), and I can't smoke in it??

:rotfl: FREE :rotfl: COUNTRY :rotfl:

APPARENTLY NOT

:angryfire :angryfire :angryfire :angryfire :angryfire :angryfire

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