Smoke-free grounds now at Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre

Sioux Lookout, ON – On April 1, 2017, Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC) became 100% smoke-free by banning all forms of smoking from the all SLMHC grounds.

The following are all considered forms of smoking and are now prohibited on SLMHC grounds:

  • Lighting, inhaling or carrying of a lighted or smoldering cigar, cigarette, electronic cigarette, or any kind of pipe.
  • Any processed or unprocessed form of tobacco that may be smoked, inhaled or chewed, including snuff.

People who are observed to be smoking on SLMHC grounds will be approached by SLMHC staff or security personnel and asked to stop smoking on the grounds or leave the property. This also extends to people who are smoking inside of vehicles while on the grounds.

Beginning January 1, 2018, all hospitals in Ontario will also have smoke-free grounds as outlined in the Smoke-free Ontario Act and the Electronic Cigarettes Act. People observed on hospital grounds who are in contravention of the acts may be subject to hefty fines of up to $1000 for a first offence and up to $5000 for any subsequent offences.

SLMHC operates William “Bill” George Extended Care Facility – a long term care (LTC) residence. While SLMHC’s smoke-free grounds policy prohibits staff and visitors from smoking on the LTC grounds, residents of the LTC are still permitted to smoke on the grounds.

Smoke-free hospital grounds protect patients, staff, volunteers and visitors from exposure to second-hand smoke and tobacco use. It also provides the benefits of a tobacco-free and smoke-free environment to the community.

SLMHC provides nicotine replacement therapy and/or smoking cessation support to help those who are admitted to the hospital to deal with their nicotine cravings and tobacco addiction while on hospital grounds.

To learn about SLMHC’s smoke-free grounds, visit: slmhc.on.ca/smoke-free