Bjo

OUr hospital has been non-smoking inside the facility for a long time. Starting in July, the patients will no longer be able to go outside to smoke. That means that for the last several months, they have been limiting the amount of cigarettes the patients can smoke. Once the patients earn levels, they can go outside on privileges and they take their cigarettes with them. Depending on the restriction of the level, they can be outside quite a few times during the day. My question is, does anyone have experience with long term forensic patients being forced to quit smoking altogether? I have read several articles that it can affect the levels of the psychotropic medication as well as trigger a depressive setback. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. I am on a recovery awareness committee and I am trying to come up with some information to take with me to the next meeting. The patients have wanted to file grievances with the patient advocate but he has told them that smoking is not a right that they can grieve.