OK Hosp. Smoking Ban

RowdyGal61 · Sep 15, 2005

I am a TOTAL anti-smoking freak, but I really see some problems with that law.
As long as I don't have to be around the second hand smoke, I don't mind if people have to smoke; the little shelters and huts are fine by me.
Alot of "caring" healthcare professionals don't seem to notice that people smoke as a way to relieve stress; it's a coping mechanism, albeit a destructive one. It is also PHYSICALLY addictive. Now, for some people, hospitalization is a great time to quit, a good scare like chest pain or bronchitis can be just the incentive that you need to change. But other patients, and vistors too, are under stress that would drive anyone CRAZY, and they are just trying to get through each moment without screaming, crying, and hitting someone!! This might not be the best time for a "lesson" in how bad cigarettes are for you. THEY KNOW THAT SMOKING IS BAD!! It is one hell of a hard habit to break, and I feel awful for anyone who is struggling to quit.

This is not a law, it is a "policy". My hospital, as well as the community hospital in my town put such "policy" into effect Jan 1, 2005. We have to actually leave the properety to have a smoke break, and then the hospital threatens to turn us in for pt abandonment ( even though we have anohter nurse watching our pt's) I am a house sup. at this place and a smoker. I have been told by the upper levels that I have turn in anyone I see smoking on the property, I refuse to do so. There is no way that I am going to tell a nurse that she can't go have a smoke break after a trying incident such as a code, death, dr ranting in her face, understaffed, over worked, asked to work over, ect. However I will ask them to remain in thier vehicles, out of site of the general public. The staff is not payed during thier 30 minute lunch, so how am I supposed to tell them what they can and connot do on thier time, in thier vehicles? When the hospital starts taking liability for our vehicles while on thier property, then they can dictate what we do in them.

pricklypear · Sep 15, 2005

This is not a law, it is a "policy". My hospital, as well as the community hospital in my town put such "policy" into effect Jan 1, 2005. We have to actually leave the properety to have a smoke break, and then the hospital threatens to turn us in for pt abandonment ( even though we have anohter nurse watching our pt's) I am a house sup. at this place and a smoker. I have been told by the upper levels that I have turn in anyone I see smoking on the property, I refuse to do so. There is no way that I am going to tell a nurse that she can't go have a smoke break after a trying incident such as a code, death, dr ranting in her face, understaffed, over worked, asked to work over, ect. However I will ask them to remain in thier vehicles, out of site of the general public. The staff is not payed during thier 30 minute lunch, so how am I supposed to tell them what they can and connot do on thier time, in thier vehicles? When the hospital starts taking liability for our vehicles while on thier property, then they can dictate what we do in them.

This sounds soooo familiar!! We were told we would have to clock out to leave hospital grounds. OK, I'm fine with that. But... I'm uncomfortable leaving my patients for 30 minutes at a time. So we decided that since we are "entitled" to 30 minutes off the clock, why couldn't we take 2 15 minute breaks off the clock (in a 12 hour period). Works out better for our co-workers, and our patients. We started doing that, and apparantly that is not OK, either. I figure it's too much trouble for the HR people who have to manually enter all the clocked-out lunch periods. It's just such a mess. I actually LIKE the fact that there aren't people standing around outside smoking anymore, but the hospital is just totally unwilling to meet the staff half way. We've heard rumors of cameras taking pictures of license plates so they can keep track of who leaves and when, spies taking down names, etc, etc.

As far as the law is concerned, I was told that yes, it is only a policy. It can be enforced on employees however the hospital wishes, but not on visitors or patients. I've heard that the hospital is applying to change the city codes or some such thing in order to be able to lawfully enforce it on visitors or patients. Right now, it leaves the security guards in a bad position of having absolutely no power to enforce it with the public. They've had visitors laugh in their faces and say, "You can't make me do anything, it's not against the law."

It would just be soooo much easier to do what other places have done and set up a small, out of the way (like out back by the dumpsters) smoking section. Ban it everywhere else except there. They could ever set up 2, one for staff, and 1 for visitors so they wouldn't have to see us smoke. I think even most of the non-smokers at my hospital would agree with that - since they're tired of having to be responsible for extra patients for 30 minutes and having the smokers being totally unreachable for that period of time.

And I also found out from someone who checked into it, that the state's labor laws regarding required breaks do NOT apply to healthcare!! Go figure.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Sep 15, 2005

I think it was great when smoking in restaurants and certain places came into effect and has worked wonderfully for those who wish not inhale it.

There was a huge gripe about this (especially business owners from bars etc) but it's history now and you don't hear anyone complaining.

I think it is a great idea. Anyone who wishes to smoke can get in their car and take off somewhere else. Employees, I have no clue as to how to accomodate that but if they have the privilege to leave they could do the same.