Smoking bans in and around NC hospitals

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I've noticed most hospitals in my area have completely banned smoking from the premises and some are even testing employees and won't hire smokers!

What's the policy where you are? Thoughts about it?

BTW-I'm not a smoker but I do feel workers are getting told more and more what they can't do on their off time.

The next lifestyle choice to be banned just might be your own!

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The difference w smoking vs family history is: famliy history is genetics, smoking is a behavior. smoking is a choice, being born into a history of depression is like being black or white, it is not a choice.

I have a web site with regards to smoking and OUR RIGHT to clean air.

It states that no where in the constitution is there a "right to smoke". So apartments for example are allowed to be smoke free and it is not ocnsidered discrimination.

To compare a behavior to a genetic pass is a stretch I think. We can't blame the family for smoking, both my parents smoked as I grew I, I have never in my likfe lit up or had the desire to.

With that said, I had just visitied Wisconsin, and the smoke free facility was great!

No patients hovering around the entry ways smoking, so I didn't have to hold my breathe to enter the facility.

I wish they would all go smoke free. Not to also mention the hassle we as nurses, trying to prioritize our tasks, to constantly find patients off the floor that need meds or dressings.

That is happening here too. While I understand the reasons behind this, I do feel it is an infringement of individual rights. What if a facility would not hire you if you have a family history of cardiac problems, mental illness, diabetes?

When one group is banned in whatever manner, it may follow that others groups will soon follow.

A city here has given employees until the middle of July to stop smoking or face a raise in the insurance premium. Randon testing will be required. I wonder what condition/habit will become the next target. One thing for sure, alcohol will not be mentioned. It is acceptable to drink. :o

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The next lifestyle choice to be banned just might be your own!

Absolutely. What's next? Not hiring a nurse who eats fried foods? Let's face it, those onion rings can really make your breath stink. You've probably become overweight, and the sensitive patient--sorry, resident-- may be disgusted by your appearance. Not only does the cafeteria stop providing fried foods, you can't even go to the place across the street and grab an order of fries for your lunch! Your cholesterol will be checked randomly, and if it is above a certain level, you will be terminated.

I am a student, and our hospital is implementing this whole no smoking policy in November. I can totally understand not wanting employees and visitors to stand by the doors and smoke. Our facility constructed a beautiful patio, out of the way of pedestrian traffic, so no one would be "offended" by the smokers. Pedestrians can't even SEE them, let alone smell them. Can't use the patio anymore. We were told that we're not even allowed to walk across the street off campus to smoke on our breaks. BTW, remember how this is supposed to be America?

I'm sorry, but here's the crux: SMOKING IS LEGAL, as long as you are over 18 years of age. If the government truly was concerned about the health of smokers, they would outlaw it. Oh, but wait. They can't. They'd lose all that nifty tax revenue that they use to overspend on pet projects.

I have wanted to quit smoking, and had every intention of quitting before the new school year began. I am making a valiant effort here. But being forced to quit just grates on me. It's almost like I want to NOT quit, just to say, "you can't make me." I know. Immature of me. LOL.

Smokers are good enough to fund the building of stadiums and the like, but I truly resent being treated like a second-class citizen. Doesn't anybody remember how it used to be? You could smoke at the movie theatres, in the grocery store, at work, wherever. In those types of situations, a non-smoker would have every right to complain. They had no where to go to get away from the smoke. But for goodness' sake! Look at the way it is now. Smokers are relegated to a tiny cluster of booths in the back of the restaurant by the kitchen behind a big glass divider. The malls and stores are all smoke-free. There are many restaurants that are smoke free (the decision of the owner, not a government mandate)--it is their right, and I applaud them.

Non-smokers are now able to shield themselves from second-hand smoke 24 hours a day, if they so choose. But that's not good enough. NOW the lingering aroma of our LEGAL habit offends you, and we should be banned from your sight? I'm sorry. This attitude offends the heck out of me. I am not a militant smoker. If I'm out with someone, I always ask if they mind if I smoke. If they do mind, I don't. When I go out to eat with my friends, I cheerfully go to the non-smoking section. I don't stand in doorways and blow smoke on people as they enter and exit the building.

Wow. My first official rant on AllNurses.com! I didn't intend for it to happen, really. I hope I didn't offend anyone. This is just a subject that riles me up to no end. BTW, I had quit smoking for 20 years and just started up three years ago (DUHHHHHH!--Long story--troubles with teenage son--LOTS of stress). Just so no one thinks it's my addiction talking, I felt this strongly about this issue even when I didn't smoke. It has to do with living in America and individual rights, and the government and employers controlling those rights, when they have no business doing so.

I hear in NJ, they're trying to make it illegal to smoke in your car. You watch. Next thing will be no smoking in the home if you have children. Either make smoking out and out illegal, or allow us to exercise our rights as Americans.

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Yes back in the day, everyone smoked everywhere, but there is new research and smarter people that don't want to be near second hand smoke. I already had one cancer and because of second hand smoke am at risk for lung cancer.

Yes everyone has rights; But that is not the issue.

Alcohol is also legal, so can I drink a vodka on my break? NO.

Fast food yes is also a choice, but you eating a large fri has NO EXTERNAL effect on anyone but yourself. [well, until you have a heart attack with no insurance, then it effects us]

People seem to be missing the point. Behaviors like smoking that effect others should be regulated.

Just like driving drunk right? Drinking is legal, but driving and drinking is not. WHY? because the drinker's behavior effects others.

Absolutely. What's next? Not hiring a nurse who eats fried foods? Let's face it, those onion rings can really make your breath stink. You've probably become overweight, and the sensitive patient--sorry, resident-- may be disgusted by your appearance. Not only does the cafeteria stop providing fried foods, you can't even go to the place across the street and grab an order of fries for your lunch! Your cholesterol will be checked randomly, and if it is above a certain level, you will be terminated.

I am a student, and our hospital is implementing this whole no smoking policy in November. I can totally understand not wanting employees and visitors to stand by the doors and smoke. Our facility constructed a beautiful patio, out of the way of pedestrian traffic, so no one would be "offended" by the smokers. Pedestrians can't even SEE them, let alone smell them. Can't use the patio anymore. We were told that we're not even allowed to walk across the street off campus to smoke on our breaks. BTW, remember how this is supposed to be America?

I'm sorry, but here's the crux: SMOKING IS LEGAL, as long as you are over 18 years of age. If the government truly was concerned about the health of smokers, they would outlaw it. Oh, but wait. They can't. They'd lose all that nifty tax revenue that they use to overspend on pet projects.

I have wanted to quit smoking, and had every intention of quitting before the new school year began. I am making a valiant effort here. But being forced to quit just grates on me. It's almost like I want to NOT quit, just to say, "you can't make me." I know. Immature of me. LOL.

Smokers are good enough to fund the building of stadiums and the like, but I truly resent being treated like a second-class citizen. Doesn't anybody remember how it used to be? You could smoke at the movie theatres, in the grocery store, at work, wherever. In those types of situations, a non-smoker would have every right to complain. They had no where to go to get away from the smoke. But for goodness' sake! Look at the way it is now. Smokers are relegated to a tiny cluster of booths in the back of the restaurant by the kitchen behind a big glass divider. The malls and stores are all smoke-free. There are many restaurants that are smoke free (the decision of the owner, not a government mandate)--it is their right, and I applaud them.

Non-smokers are now able to shield themselves from second-hand smoke 24 hours a day, if they so choose. But that's not good enough. NOW the lingering aroma of our LEGAL habit offends you, and we should be banned from your sight? I'm sorry. This attitude offends the heck out of me. I am not a militant smoker. If I'm out with someone, I always ask if they mind if I smoke. If they do mind, I don't. When I go out to eat with my friends, I cheerfully go to the non-smoking section. I don't stand in doorways and blow smoke on people as they enter and exit the building.

Wow. My first official rant on AllNurses.com! I didn't intend for it to happen, really. I hope I didn't offend anyone. This is just a subject that riles me up to no end. BTW, I had quit smoking for 20 years and just started up three years ago (DUHHHHHH!--Long story--troubles with teenage son--LOTS of stress). Just so no one thinks it's my addiction talking, I felt this strongly about this issue even when I didn't smoke. It has to do with living in America and individual rights, and the government and employers controlling those rights, when they have no business doing so.

I hear in NJ, they're trying to make it illegal to smoke in your car. You watch. Next thing will be no smoking in the home if you have children. Either make smoking out and out illegal, or allow us to exercise our rights as Americans.

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.
Absolutely. What's next? Not hiring a nurse who eats fried foods? Let's face it, those onion rings can really make your breath stink. You've probably become overweight, and the sensitive patient--sorry, resident-- may be disgusted by your appearance. Not only does the cafeteria stop providing fried foods, you can't even go to the place across the street and grab an order of fries for your lunch! Your cholesterol will be checked randomly, and if it is above a certain level, you will be terminated.

I am a student, and our hospital is implementing this whole no smoking policy in November. I can totally understand not wanting employees and visitors to stand by the doors and smoke. Our facility constructed a beautiful patio, out of the way of pedestrian traffic, so no one would be "offended" by the smokers. Pedestrians can't even SEE them, let alone smell them. Can't use the patio anymore. We were told that we're not even allowed to walk across the street off campus to smoke on our breaks. BTW, remember how this is supposed to be America?

I'm sorry, but here's the crux: SMOKING IS LEGAL, as long as you are over 18 years of age. If the government truly was concerned about the health of smokers, they would outlaw it. Oh, but wait. They can't. They'd lose all that nifty tax revenue that they use to overspend on pet projects.

I have wanted to quit smoking, and had every intention of quitting before the new school year began. I am making a valiant effort here. But being forced to quit just grates on me. It's almost like I want to NOT quit, just to say, "you can't make me." I know. Immature of me. LOL.

Smokers are good enough to fund the building of stadiums and the like, but I truly resent being treated like a second-class citizen. Doesn't anybody remember how it used to be? You could smoke at the movie theatres, in the grocery store, at work, wherever. In those types of situations, a non-smoker would have every right to complain. They had no where to go to get away from the smoke. But for goodness' sake! Look at the way it is now. Smokers are relegated to a tiny cluster of booths in the back of the restaurant by the kitchen behind a big glass divider. The malls and stores are all smoke-free. There are many restaurants that are smoke free (the decision of the owner, not a government mandate)--it is their right, and I applaud them.

Non-smokers are now able to shield themselves from second-hand smoke 24 hours a day, if they so choose. But that's not good enough. NOW the lingering aroma of our LEGAL habit offends you, and we should be banned from your sight? I'm sorry. This attitude offends the heck out of me. I am not a militant smoker. If I'm out with someone, I always ask if they mind if I smoke. If they do mind, I don't. When I go out to eat with my friends, I cheerfully go to the non-smoking section. I don't stand in doorways and blow smoke on people as they enter and exit the building.

Wow. My first official rant on AllNurses.com! I didn't intend for it to happen, really. I hope I didn't offend anyone. This is just a subject that riles me up to no end. BTW, I had quit smoking for 20 years and just started up three years ago (DUHHHHHH!--Long story--troubles with teenage son--LOTS of stress). Just so no one thinks it's my addiction talking, I felt this strongly about this issue even when I didn't smoke. It has to do with living in America and individual rights, and the government and employers controlling those rights, when they have no business doing so.

I hear in NJ, they're trying to make it illegal to smoke in your car. You watch. Next thing will be no smoking in the home if you have children. Either make smoking out and out illegal, or allow us to exercise our rights as Americans.

This is a very interesting discussion: individual civil liberties versus patients' and others' rights to be in a smoke-free environment. Even if a nurse smokes off hospital property, the cigarette odor is in the nurse's clothing/ skin/ hair/ breath and patients who are sensitive to the smell can be adversely affected. One hospital on the Eastern side of the state became "smoke free" (ie, nurses could not smoke on property). This ban did not last very long, as it was unenforceable.

I also think another venue in the anti-smoking campaign will be increased insurance premiums for smokers, as smoking is directly linked to so many chronic and acute disease conditions.

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This is a very interesting discussion: individual civil liberties versus patients' and others' rights to be in a smoke-free environment.

That's just the thing. Patients and others ARE in smoke-free environments. But that's not good enough anymore. Some people don't like the smell of perfumes. Some dont' like the aroma of aftershave or deodorants. Some think certain foods smell totally gross. Are we to ban EVERYTHING that might have an aroma, because someone may not like the smell?

Should I be banned from eating garlic bread the night before my shift because someone who does not like garlic may smell it?

I am not unrealistic. Some (VERY FEW) people actually are physically affected by the smell of smoke, perfumes, etc. Of course, we would do everything in our abillity to be sure they are not exposed to these irritants, be they smoky clothes or perfumes. But I would venture to say that 95% of the time, the problem is with a non-smoker who simply does not like the smell and is offended. I am sick and tired of people who are so easily offended that they feel they must demonize an entire group of citizens based on the way their clothes smell.

How many of us (those without legitimate allergies) have had a relative who wears the absolute worst-smelling after shave? What do we do about it? Nothing. We put up with it, and breathe a sigh of relief when they've gone, cracking jokes about whether or not they bathe in the stuff. Why don't we ban them from our homes and family gatherings unless they agree to not use the aftershave? Because that's not the way we're supposed to treat people. For some reason, smokers are not afforded that consideration. I am considerate enough not to smoke in front of non-smokers, but we're considered fair game for rudeness and shunning. Yes, my clothes smell like smoke. But that liver and onions you had for lunch today really turned my stomach. I wouldn't dream of telling you that your lunch is so disgusting it's about to make me hurl,you should choose something else to eat, and why do you eat it anyway? It's loaded with cholesterol. Why is it okay for non-smokers to treat smokers like the dregs of society? Smokers have made every concession to non-smokers short of quitting. We smoke only where and when we're "permitted" to, even if that entails standing out in a blizzard to get a few puffs. Perhaps if we were required to strip naked outside, smoke our cigarettes in the snow, shower with lye soap and then put our pristine clothes back on, the non-smokers would be happy. All smokers want is a little give-and-take, and I feel like we are doing all the giving, to the detriment of our Constitutional rights.

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Actually, in the last 3 places that I worked people were told to not wear perfume. I agree with this rule, as strong odors can affect pt's and co-workers. I have asthma and strong perfume will set me off. There is a huge difference between perfume and bad breath. That is a ridiculous comparison. Cigarette smoke and perfume can both affect people's health. I've never heard of garlic breath hurting anyone - and yes, if you work in oncology it is not a good idea to eat a meal laden with garlic and onions, as it might make your patients nauseated. You could wear a mask!

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Specializes in Emergency.

I believe the JCAHO rule is no smoking in or within 50 feet if any entrance or opening in to the hospital. If its not the JACHO standard then its OSHA.

For what its worth I worked in a hospital in Iowa that around 1995 started asking on the job application if one used tabacco products. If it was answered yes they did not hire you. If you said no and were later found using they fired you for lying on your job application.

RJ

RJ:rolleyes:

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I agree also with the perfume thing. It is usually under dress code. It does effect me, so I can imagine a patient that is post op having a nurse smell like whatever, causing more nausea. I still have to fight also against people using perfumed lotions.

Infection control inservice has consistently said that any lotion except the one that is approved can lessen the effect of alcohol base hand cleaners.

Actually, in the last 3 places that I worked people were told to not wear perfume. I agree with this rule, as strong odors can affect pt's and co-workers. I have asthma and strong perfume will set me off. There is a huge difference between perfume and bad breath. That is a ridiculous comparison. Cigarette smoke and perfume can both affect people's health. I've never heard of garlic breath hurting anyone - and yes, if you work in oncology it is not a good idea to eat a meal laden with garlic and onions, as it might make your patients nauseated. You could wear a mask!
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I have several thoughts on the issue. First, I think that it is not appropriate for a company to dictate what employees can do during their UNPAID personal time; however, I find it offensive to have to walk through a huge cloud of smoke on my way into and out of a building.

Also, co-workers who constantly go on "cigarette breaks" and leave me to tend to their responsibilities really get on my nerves. I do not smoke, but if I took that many breaks for some other reason I'm sure that would not be tolerated.

Furthermore, I think that any nurse who willingly and purposely introduces carcinogens and other toxins into their bodies is just plain stupid. We've all learned throughout our education about the serious long-term effects of smoking, and we've seen horrific examples in the clinical setting - so why choose to smoke???

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.

The 750+ bed teaching hospital on the Eastern side of the state (one of our clinical sites) is becoming SMOKE-FREE throughout its campus at the beginning of May next year. This is a very LARGE area, so nicotine-addicted health care workers (or nursing students for that matter) cannot simply "cross the street" to smoke. This will be very difficult to enforce, especially with visitors.

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.
Furthermore, I think that any nurse who willingly and purposely introduces carcinogens and other toxins into their bodies is just plain stupid. We've all learned throughout our education about the serious long-term effects of smoking, and we've seen horrific examples in the clinical setting - so why choose to smoke???

Please avoid insensitive, provocative, and judgmental comments on the board. Smoking is an addiction, a very powerful one I am told (no, I am NOT a smoker and never have been one). The overwhelming majority of people who smoke detest this deadly habit but have a very difficult time breaking its devilish hold. Most smokers require at least 7 quit attempts before they are successful and need much support (pharmacological therapies, support groups, encouragement from peers and primary care providers).

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