SMOKE FREE HOSPITALS inside and out

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Nov 18, 2004

I smoked a long time (33 years) and tried to quit almost as long (32 years). My dad died from lung cancer secondary to cigarette smoking. (I wonder about my Mom and all her second hand, passive smoking.) I suffered from tonsillitis and chronic otitis media as a child, with high fevers and the joy of those early penicillin shots (the stuff was in beeswax of all things--hurt like the devil and made a huge, ugly, sore bruise of my tiny back side), all because my father smoked constantly.

You'd think I'd be pretty adamant about smokers and smoking, etc., but I'm not.

However, one of the things I really enjoy these days is not smelling smokey. I think I should be able to walk into a building (especially a hospital) and not have to breathe someone else's smoke (or wear it).

One hospital I worked at had two smoking areas. Both were outside and very nicely decorated (shrubs, benches, flowering plants, etc.). They were shaded--one was actualy a huge gazebo. They were away from the main entrances so that people didn't have to wade through smoke, but close enough that people didn't have to go way out of their way if they wanted to.

It's a nice arrangement if you have the luxury of all that space (and money).

I notice fewer and fewer people smoking these days. I don't think it's a bad thing, personally.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Nov 18, 2004

More power to the smoke-free rule inside AND outside.

If people want to smoke, they can do it at their own house or car off of hospital property.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Nov 18, 2004

I don't smoke and detest smoking. So I'm all for smoke-free inside, not just in hospitals but everywhere.

We're a smoke free place, both inside and out.

The smokers go into all kinds of nooks and crannies to find a place to smoke where people won't see (yeah right) and the patients and visitors still smoke outside where they want and throw their butts all around.

I'm for allowing certain areas to be disgnated smoking areas outside, away from entrances, etc.

VizslaMom · Nov 18, 2004

No smoking inside our hospital and very few places on the grounds for people to smoke.

I would prefer NO SMOKING at all. Many times smokers ignore the signs around the doors stating that there is no smoking in these areas. So, I get to walk in or out through a cloud of someone else's second hand smoke. No thank you. I would prefer that it not be allowed at all because there is ALWAYS going to be someone that abuses the priviledge. And yes, it is a priviledge...NOT a right.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Nov 18, 2004

I dont want to inflict my habit on others, but I need somewhere to go to smoke. The non smokers can stay away.

It's a little hard for them to stay away when their co-workers reek of the smoke smell when they come back from break.

laurakoko · Nov 18, 2004

Well, the hospital that I work in enforces that employees that want to smoke, must clock out, get in their car, and drive off campus for a smoke break. There is SO much controversy regarding this, i.e.- if a wreck, flat tire, car stalls, the employee cannot return to work prompty. It continues under investigation, but has remained a policy since I have been there (7 years now). There is a designated place for patients and family to smoke, outside of the ED. I want to know how a hospital goes smoke free outside for patients and families, as we are now such a society all about "customer satisfaction". Let's face it, people DO smoke. How can others regulate that smoking OUTSIDE is prohibited?!?!?! There are far worse, and many more pollutants in the air......

lifejourney · Nov 18, 2004

I don't smoke, and I never have. I have many problems with allowing smoking inside hospitals. However, I think it is necessary to have designated areas for smoking outside. I have worked in hospitals that are completely smoke-free and those with designated areas. The reality is that people (staff, patients, and visitors) will smoke. And, it's their choice to do so.

It is better to have designated areas. Hospitals that are designated "smoke-free" never are. People will continue to smoke. At least give individuals a place to go that it's allowable to smoke without being bothered. I can't imagine someone telling me that I can't have coffee at work. Thank goodness I never started smoking! I know this is a tough issue for those who do.

chip193 · Nov 18, 2004

It is pretty darn easy to get a smoker out of bed for that "ambulate TID" order.

That's true! So true that you really did make me laugh!

smk1, LPN · Nov 18, 2004

love the idea on no smoking outside or in. You just can't equate a diabetic eating a cookie with a smoker smoking. The former doesn't affect my health and physical comfort the latter does. Even if there were enclosed smokiing huts way off in the distance, the smokers would still come back from lunch and breaks smelling of smoke, which is an irritation and physical discomfort at least and a trigger for life threatening asthmatic responses in many cases.

Eric01 · Nov 18, 2004

My facility (in Nova Scotia, Canada) is comlpetely smoke-free, and has been for about the last year. I think that it is great (I'm a non-smoker). Anyone who wants to smoke must go off of hospital property. Nicontine patches are provided to patients very regularly.

On another note, the province next to NS, New Brunswick (on the eastern border of Maine) went completely smoke-free back in October. It is no longer permitted to smoke in any publice place, province-wide. This includes your home if the public has access (ie, home office, etc). Not sure how enforecement is going, but I like the idea.

rngreenhorn · Nov 18, 2004

It's a little hard for them to stay away when their co-workers reek of the smoke smell when they come back from break.

Yeah well, some people smell of flatulance and BO too.

rngreenhorn · Nov 18, 2004

love the idea on no smoking outside or in. You just can't equate a diabetic eating a cookie with a smoker smoking. The former doesn't affect my health and physical comfort the latter does. Even if there were enclosed smokiing huts way off in the distance, the smokers would still come back from lunch and breaks smelling of smoke, which is an irritation and physical discomfort at least and a trigger for life threatening asthmatic responses in many cases.

:crying2: .