SMOKE FREE HOSPITALS inside and out

rngreenhorn · 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.

I understand no smoking in government (publicly owned) places. But, how can the government regulate no smoking in the home? Even in the home has a business, the business is privately owned. That's crazy!

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Nov 18, 2004

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

Good grooming and minimal manners dictate that one does not fart around others (with the grudging exception of probably every husband on earth--how many wives do you know who think that's great?). Personal hygiene (or the lack thereof) that doesn't protect the people around you from your own stink is insufficient and (unless it's unavoidable and work related) usually signals a need for patient education or a referral to psych for assessment of acute depression or other significant mental illness.

Do we not tend to actively avoid others' pit (and other) odor and farts??

Another point--it could be said that in most cases, BO etc. is not controllable. Lighting up that cigarette is. (Wear a patch if you are that addicted!)

Sorry, (as they say) "close, but no cigar."

rngreenhorn · Nov 18, 2004

Do we not tend to actively avoid others' pit (and other) odor and farts??
Another point--it could be said that in most cases, BO etc. is not controllable. Lighting up that cigarette is. (Wear a patch if you are that addicted!)
Sorry, (as they say) "close, but no cigar."

I tried the patch, but I couldn't keep it lit.

boulergirl, CNA · Nov 18, 2004

If our facility had that kind of policy, half our staff would quit. :rotfl:

redshiloh · Nov 18, 2004

Those hospitals that require people to clock out and leave hospital property; how do they cover patients? Seems like by the time you clock out and get in you car and drive off campus, your break would already be over.

I'm not a smoker and don't like smelling smoke, but it is such a strong addiction I don't think that kind of restriction can work.

smk1, LPN · Nov 18, 2004

I tried the patch, but I couldn't keep it lit.

:crying2:

June55Baby · Nov 18, 2004

Maggie, how will your hospital enforce this policy?

I think it is a great idea, but we can't even get our visitors and patients to go to the designated smoking areas. I hate having to go through clouds of cigarette smoke to enter the hospital. We have wonderfully nice designated smoking areas, but visitors and patients smoke right outside the entrance.

Enforcing would be a nightmare!

jetsetter · Nov 18, 2004

We allow smoking in a designated area, but patients are not allowed to smoke, no exceptions. I personnally don't mind staff smoking, except for those few who need "grab a quick 'neb treatment' "- and don't come back for 20 minutes. We had a pt sneak past me a few weeks ago, found him smoking in the ambulance bay. I mean, staff can't go 8 hours without lighting up, how do we expect pt's to go several days? It's like government is trying to legislate smoking, so either make it illegal or just let em smoke already.

Dixiecup · Nov 18, 2004

I am a smoker and I would still go for it. I can easily go a shift w\o a cigarrette. But how would they enforce it as far as the outside grounds, I mean with the general public. Are they going to issue tickets if they catch the general public smoking on hospital grounds?