Smoke-Free Facilities
As of 2017, the entire grounds of Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre and William A. “Bill” George Extended Care Facility are smoke-free.
Any processed or unprocessed form of tobacco and marijuana is prohibited. This includes cigars, cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, pipes and chewing tobacco. There are designated smoking areas just outside of hospital grounds. Medical marijuana falls under our smoke-free policy. For our policies on medical marijuana click here or speak to your health care provider for assistance.
Smoke-free hospital grounds protect patients, staff, volunteers and visitors from exposure to second-hand smoke and tobacco use. It also promotes the benefits of a tobacco-free and smoke-free environment to the community. Hospital admissions can prompt smokers and tobacco users to make a quit attempt and this presents an opportune time for health care professionals to provide clients with cessation supports. Smoke-free environments can support these quit attempts and help those who have quit stay quit.
Further, all hospitals and psychiatric facilities became completely smoke-free as of January 1, 2018, in accordance with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act. Going smoke-free as of April 1, 2017 helped SLMHC move towards this legislated change. For details on the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, visit Smoke-Free Ontario. This decision to adopt smoke-free grounds is an important step in working together to improve the health status of individuals, families and communities now and for generations to come.
Why Smoke-Free Grounds?
Smoke-free hospital grounds protect patients, staff, volunteers and visitors from exposure to second-hand smoke and tobacco use. It also promotes the benefits of a tobacco-free and smoke-free environment to the community.
Hospital admissions can prompt smokers and tobacco users to make a quit attempt and presents an opportune time for health care professionals to provide them with cessation supports. Smoke-free environments can support these quit attempts and help those who have quit stay quit.
Further, all hospitals and psychiatric facilities became completely smoke-free as of January 1, 2018, in accordance with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act. Going smoke-free on April 1, 2017, helped SLMHC move towards this legislated change. For details on the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, visit Smoke-Free Ontario. This decision to adopt smoke-free grounds was an important step in working together to improve the health status of individuals, families and communities now and for generations to come.
Options for Patients
SLMHC provides the following options to help those who are admitted to the hospital to deal with their nicotine cravings and tobacco addiction.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
Patients who are admitted are asked if they would like nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) while here.
Cessation Counselling
We have specially trained staff who can work with patients to help them quit smoking. You can develop a quit plan and be put in touch with smoking cessation resources so that when you leave the hospital you can continue your fight against tobacco addiction.
Support
SLMHC is pleased to offer support for patients, staff and visitors looking to quit or reduce smoking. SLMHC will also continue to offer nicotine replacement therapy (the patch, gum, lozenges, inhaler etc.) to patients who need to manage their nicotine withdrawal while they stay at the hospital. Staff can speak to Occupational Health about support services in place, and patients and residents can speak to their healthcare provider to discuss support programs in place at SLMHC.
For more information and for frequently asked questions about this move to smoke-free grounds, please follow the links below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is SLMHC smoke-free?
- Having 100% smoke-free grounds reflects the hospital’s mission, vision and values and promotes the benefits of a smoke-free environment to the community.
- Smoke-free hospital grounds protect patients, staff, volunteers and visitors from exposure to second-hand smoke and tobacco use.
- Hospital admissions can prompt smokers to make a quit attempt and presents an opportune time for health care professionals to provide them with cessation supports. Smoke-free environments can support these quit attempts and help those who have quit stay quit.
- All hospitals and psychiatric facilities became completely smoke-free as of January 1, 2018, in accordance with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act. SLMHC went smoke-free as of April 1, 2017, which moved us towards this legislated change. For details on the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/smoke-free-ontario.
How is the ban on smoking on SLMHC grounds enforced?
- SLMHC initially conducted an awareness campaign to educate the public, staff and visitors about the new smoke-free grounds regulation in 2017. This helped ensure that everyone was aware of the new rules.
- Security staff continue to monitor grounds and provide information and warnings to visitors or patients found smoking.
- Staff may face disciplinary measures if they are found smoking on hospital property or if they take extra or extended breaks to smoke.
- After January 1, 2018, Tobacco Enforcement Officers, employed by local public health units and designated under the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, began enforcing the ban on smoking on hospital grounds. Active enforcement will be primarily complaint-driven and known hotspots for smoking will be monitored.
- Repeat offenders may be subject to fines or charges.
If staff cannot make it to the property edge and back to the hospital during their breaks, aren’t we violating their rights?
- The hospital is responsible for establishing regulations to ensure a safe and halthy environment for everyone.
- All hospitals became completely smoke-free as of January 1, 2018 as per the Smoke-Free Ontario Act.
- A smoke-free property supports the hospital’s vision, mission and values.
- Evidence regarding the negative health effects of the residue left on hands and clothes after smoking (e.g., third-hand smoke) continues to grow and we need to be mindful of its potential impact on newborn babies and other vulnerable patients in a hospital’s care.
- Staff are provided with resources to help them quit, reduce smoking, or utilize nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to help manage their symptoms while working.
Where do people go to smoke? Aren’t we just pushing people onto sidewalks or into residential areas?
- Smoke-free grounds may displace smokers, but limiting people’s exposure to smoking and second-hand smoke is important for upholding the health of patients, hospital staff, volunteers and visitors.
- The hospital engages with its neighbours and partners to ensure the smoke-free regulation is going smoothly
Can visitors, staff and others smoke in their cars on the property? What about on the Hostel grounds?
- Smoking is not allowed in a car when the car is on hospital property.
- Individuals not staying at the Hostel who smoke on Hostel grounds may be charged with trespassing.
What about patient safety and those who physically cannot leave the property or are addicted to tobacco? Aren’t you creating a dangerous situation for some or making it outright impossible for them to smoke?
- All patients will be screened when registering at the hospital to determine if they require nicotine replacement therapies to manage withdrawal symptoms.
- The hospital provides quit smoking resources and nicotine replacement therapy (the patch, gum, lozenges, inhaler etc.) to those who need to manage their nicotine withdrawal while they stay at the hospital.
- If patients’ nicotine withdrawal is managed, the urge to smoke is significantly reduced and patients are less likely to smoke on hospital grounds or face potential safety risks associated with leaving the grounds to smoke.