no-smoking policies

[MIA-RN1]

Well, today our hospital went majorly smoke-free. Smoking has been banned inside of course for years, but now you can't smoke in your car, the parking garage, or anywhere on the property. This includes patients, visitors, employees....everyone.

I personally support this 100%. I think its a great idea as I hate walking thru someone else's smoke trying to get in the door. I am an ex smoker, clean for 10+ years and smoked for 13 years before that.

Has anyone else had their facility do this? We were talking at work about how this might lead to patients smoking in their bathrooms, or even employees smoking in the bathrooms or locker rooms. Then the discussion came up that if employees run outside to have a quick cigarette and have to cross the street, are they in trouble for leaving hospital grounds while on the clock? Interesting to think about. And also about how to enforce it with the visitors and patients? Its not just our hospital thats done this today, either, I think three of the four local hospitals did it.

Anyway, if anyone's facility has done this, I'd be interested in hearing experiences.

[meownsmile, BSN, RN]

Our facility has been smoke free for over a year now. Inside and out. No car smokers, no parking lot smokers. If staff smoke they punch out, leave the grounds in their cars, drive around the block and smoke, come back and punch back in. Just before we went smoke free, each NM took a survey of who smoked on their unit, so im sure punchouts are monitored.

Its not any different than leaving the floor for lunch or a break except you dont get paid for it. You leave and have someone cover your team while you are on lunch. Noone leaves without coverage. So thats fine, the biggest glitch that most people see is the fact that those who DONT smoke take their excessively long breaks and lunches (25 min for breakfast break and 45-50 min lunch breaks) and they arent docked their extra time. Makes one wonder why they complained so much about smokers when they take as much or more time than the smokers did. Granted not everyone takes advantage, but its easy to see who does.

[Holly27]

Ahhhh.. precisely because of INCONSIDERATE smokers. That is what this ALL boils down to. And because the artery cloggin burgers and Krispy Kremes aren't dangerous to others.

I don't know how many times I see people driving around smoking WITH KIDS IN THE CAR. You can't tell me that they haven't seen the information about just how dangerous that is? Those are the morons who are going to get someone to say "hey, we need to start ticketing people who are smoking in the car with little kids in the car." You wouldn't really think that would be necessary, but it is, because of morons.

I am so with both comments.I've heard is : "Awww You're a nurse? and you smoke? yeah......... When are you quitting? When they take the twinkies and cupcakes out the vending machine.......... Most folks look at me funny and I really don't care. If people can eat twinkies and junk because they want it then I will smoke if I want to. Is either one healthy? Uh....No.

I'm not one of the nurses that hide in my car and smoke. I put on my sweatshirt and "smoke" jacket go across the street to the clinic. Come back shove it all back down in my duffle bag,grab a few mints and wash up. I'm not saying it gets rid of all the smoke smell. But I think its more considerate then others I've worked with or some patients families who tell their kin they will be back because they gotta smoke and then come back and talk about it. I've only been called out once by a patient. I forgot my mint and was in her face. She was a smoker and really just wanted to smell it. I work cardiac also and have several smokers or ex-smokers. I try to be considerate toward all patients.

[annmariern]

It is still legal, people quit when they want not when they are told, especially when it involves a stressful enviroment, a hospitalization, a family death, illness, etc. Yes I smoke, yes I know how stupid it is, yes I want to quit. On my own terms. Like most smokers I think.

[kukukajoo, LPN]

Smoking is addictive we all know that, now. I was a smoker for 18 years and a 2 pack a day habit. I used to wake up and smoke in the middle of the night even!! I tried to quit SO MANY TIMES over the years!

Well thanks to Chantix (the newly approved drug) and quitnet.com I have finally stopped and have not had a single craving!! It is like a wonder drug I tell you! Also, my insurance denied at first but my doc faxed a letter and they approved it after that with no problems!

Personally I still have a hard time going into a convenience store where cigarette ads are right in your face. Buying them was such a habit and only now as a non-smoker do I see the propaganda and guerella advertising tactics they use! I bet they would sell TONS less if they smokes were behind the counter and not advertised so prominently in-stores.

[ann945n, RN]

These hospitals that are banning smoking on campus....are they banning those artery clogging burgers in the cafeteria? What about those krispy kremes?

Double standards. I know that smoking is bad for you but if I do it away from others..what's the difference in my smoking and the other person that weighs 400 lbs going to the cafeteria for cholesterol laden food?

I personally think its because we have to smell smoke on you when you come back and that really gets my stomach feeling icky also we have to walk through your smoke if we pass you and look at buts on the street or smell stinky ash trays out side ect...

[RN1263]

oh, i forgot.....the hospital i do clinical at, that just went smoke free (only for staff), gives the same punishment whether you smell like smoke or smoke on their property....that's nuts!

of course, no one should reek of smoke & you should try to cover it as best you can to be considerate, but i think that's a bit much?

so, you're not suppose to smoke before work if you want?.....why don't they just make them illegal & get it over with already....seriously!... geeesssss

[CVICURN2003]

oh, i forgot.....the hospital i do clinical at, that just went smoke free (only for staff), gives the same punishment whether you smell like smoke or smoke on their property....that's nuts!

of course, no one should reek of smoke & you should try to cover it as best you can to be considerate, but i think that's a bit much?

so, you're not suppose to smoke before work if you want?.....why don't they just make them illegal & get it over with already....seriously!... geeesssss

I hate the smoke smell, but I also hate strong perfume, your dog/cat/ferret (yuk) smell. I think it is stupid to punish someone for "smelling like smoke". Are they going to punish someone for giving me a headache with their strong PERFUME? We have rules about that at our hospital too...That does not seem quite LEGAL to me. I don't smoke....but goodness only knows after a stressful day I can understand why someone would.