Smoking Policy- What do you think??

[AmandaRN]

Okay guys. I really need to know what you all think about this. I learned today that as of July 1, the facility for which I work is going to be totally tobacco free. By this I mean that tobacco will be allowed NOWHERE on the facility premises. This also means that if you want to smoke, you are required to do so in your own vehicle AND clock out to do so. This is system wide, and includes patients, families, employees, doctors, everybody. I am not quite sure what to think about this. I know and you all know that nurses that smoke sometimes do not even have time to think about smoking during a shift, much less get to smoke, so ultimately it's not the end of the world, but I can't help being mad. I don't know about you all, but sometimes a cigarette is all I need to keep my sanity. Do any of you all have a policy like this?? Please let me know what you think!!!

[ShandyLynnRN, BSN, RN]

Originally posted by OBNURSEHEATHER

And what's wrong with that? I could point out numerous and repetitive eye candy, word association, and goofy poll threads.

And maybe the 10 minute walk to your car and the fact that you smell like an ashtray when you emerge should serve as a little, oh, I don't know, INCENTIVE.

Heather

I honestly didn't mean what I said as a flame or whatever. I simply meant that *I* don't want to re-state my opinions on the matter any more than what I already said. :) As far as the incentive... I don't know what it will take to give me that extra push, but I don't think smelling more like an ashtray would. I wish it were that easy.

Oh, and please keep the repetetive threads on the eye candy coming.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Shandy, you have to WANT to quit. You can do it, but it has to be for the right reasons and you have to REALLY be motivated. I wish you well in your quest to quit one day. I have been there; ex-smoker from age 17 to 25. I am never sorry I quit; only sorry I was silly enough to ever start. I can give you pointers that worked very well for me, if you ever wish. Take care.

[SharkLPN]

Count me in with the group who has to plow through a cloud of smoke to get in their building. Not only do the smokers stand right at the employee entrance, they stand directly in front of it. And don't move out of the way when you're trying to get in. Nice. Shouldn't they be doing final rounds on their pts before the shift ends anyway?

I don't leave the floor for 15 minutes every hour to drink my pop or have a snack, so why should smokers get paid to do the same for their habit? Though I doubt my co-workers would actually clock out every time they left the unit; they'd get written up for being off the floor so much.

[Sable's mom]

Don't want to add fuel to the fire, but I think it's a law in my state (MI) that all health care facilities be smoke free. I can remember the last time I worked in a hospital that allowed smoking - it was in nursing school and I hated walking into the cafeteria and breathing all that smoke.

Anyway, I think that in our facility you have had to go to your car to smoke or out the ER doors and across the street (patients' smoking area) I always figured that if someone was so desperate for a smoke that they would walk 50 feet, stand in the snow bank at -20, they were VERY addicted.

We offer gum/patches to our patients.

[laurako]

My facility has the same policy, that in order to smoke, the employees must leave the premisis, and clock out. In doing this, we have found, is does not deter the smokers from smoking, but it does make the employees returning to the facililty lower. Many get in their cars, drive away,take a longer than 5 minute break, have flat tires, and wrecks. The employees then cannot come back to work. Smoking is a choice, a place should be provided regardless. P.S. I don't smoke.

[Nurse Izzy]

I'm a recent ex-smoker and have always been sensitive to smoke. I have always hated it, even though I smoked. When I did, I NEVER smoked on clinical days until after I had left the hospital - it is just not fair to the patient to have to smell my stink. I hate seeing a staff member walking in to the hospital, dressed in scrubs, badges, etc., so it's impossible to disguise the fact they work there, with a cig. hanging out of their mouth. It's the most unprofessional, disgustig thing I've ever seen (and I was a smoker when I first saw this and was repulsed!)

As to smoking areas, if public buildings can go smoke free then why shouldn't hospitals be able to do the same?

[tattooednursie, LVN]

I don't think its right at all! I mean If you have to go out to your car . . . fine! but having to clock out is rediculous!

In my facility employees should go out back to smoke. We have a very crappy looking break area that just creeps me out at night. The dumpster is back there, there are big funny looking powerpoles, and the cement is all cracked. I just go back there and smoke when it's light out. After dark I smoke by the front entrance which is very nice looking.

maybe that new policy is to prevent some of the lazy butts who feel the need to have a break every half hour.

[mario_ragucci]

Well, I didn't think people were serious when they said some employers expect them to clock out to smoke. I still can't imagine what a workplace with adults would be like under those conditions. Many people would be irritated, either way.

I'd charge a fee to anyone who wanted to have a cigarette, and the money would go for negative pressure areas w/power air scrubbers. The would be an in/out door, and to get in, yewd hafta have a card (print). At the exit would be mints and frebreeze and moist towelettes for your hands. $0.50 per entry.

People would still smoke in front of the entrance because it's part of their behavior :-( I'm sorry

[OBNURSEHEATHER]

Originally posted by FutureRN_Mandi

]After dark I smoke by the front entrance which is very nice looking.

:rotfl:

Yeah, and I'm sure it continues to look nice when you loiter in front of the building polluting the air.

Sorry, I won't click the link again. Curiosity killed the cat.

Heather

[SmilingBluEyes]

Originally posted by OBNURSEHEATHER

:rotfl:

Yeah, and I'm sure it continues to look nice when you loiter in front of the building polluting the air.

Sorry, I won't click the link again. Curiosity killed the cat.

Heather

Yea smelly stinky clouds of smoke and herds of people puffing them ALWAYS enhance the entryway. NOT...rofl.:roll

[MoJoeRN,C]

I think it's interesting that facilities can, due to government pressure/funding/JCAH etc, make a building non smoking and designate areas, or not designate areas, where smoking is allowed. If they had in their policy that "smokers had to stand out side the building in the wind, rain, snow etc to get their fix, the hospital would probably lose a class action suit. So what do smokers do, the take it upon their selves to stand out in the inclement weather to get their fix. As an ex-smoker, I resented the times, because I didn't smoke anymore, I was left to take care of the unit while the smokers got their many mini-breaks to smoke, usually 2-3 cigarettes. At that time I thought that clocking out would help keep the help on the units where they were needed except for the lunch and 2 15 minute breaks allowed.

[CCL"Babe", BSN, RN]

My hospital is smoke free. You must cross the street to smoke. You are not allowed to get in your car and smoke if it is in the employee lot. Patients and visitors can not smoke either. This policy went into effect several months ago. I have not noticed it cutting back on co-workers smoking, they're just gone longer. I do not see patients or visitors smoking any more.

As far as the fragrance free queston, I would vote for it. I am an asthmatic and some perfumes can trigger a severe attack. I was unable to perform a scheduled test on a patient because I could not be in the same room with her. One of my co-workers was kind enough to switch assignments. I have had to leave lectures and the gym because of people bathing in their perfume/cologne.