FAQs About Our New Smoking Policy

Publication date: May 24, 2011On May 12th, Canada Health Day, the Ross Memorial Hospital became a 100% smoke free property. It was the culmination of a year’s worth of planning and preparation and a move we’re proud to have made. The hospital has been communicating this message with patients and visitors, the Ross family, and the general public. These are some frequently asked questions about our smoke free site policy.

Why did RMH become a smoke free site?

RMH has several good reasons for making this change. First, smoking is the leading preventable cause of death and disease in Ontario; tobacco-related diseases account for at least 500,000 hospital stays each year. As a healthcare leader in the community, it’s our responsibility take a stand that promotes good health. Second, policies such as ours are proven to help reduce the number of cigarettes smoked by patients and staff, and they encourage many people to quit smoking altogether. Third, becoming a smoke-free property will help to eliminate the hazards of second-hand smoke and ensure a safe, healthy environment for patients, visitors, staff, physicians and volunteers.

Why can’t there be a designated place for smoking outside?

For years, staff, patients and visitors have complained about having to walk through clouds of smoke when they’re entering and exiting the hospital. By eliminating smoking on the property, the hospital has taken a leadership role to protect people from preventable diseases that are associated with smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke.

Where can people smoke?

All RMH property is now a smoke free zone. This new policy includes all of the hospital’s buildings and grounds, including the cars in the parking lots. Anyone who wants to smoke will have to leave the property. Ash trays have been moved to the perimeter of the property near the sidewalks to help reduce litter on municipal property.

How will people/patients who wish to quit be supported during their stay?

Inpatients will be offered Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) to help manage their withdrawal symptoms while in hospital. Research shows, hospitals that ban smoking increase the number of patients who attempt to quit and decrease the number of cigarettes they smoke per day. The hospital can also provide contact information to patients, visitors, staff and volunteers to access smoking cessation supports in the community.

How will patients who are smokers get outside?

Although we encourage patients who smoke to use NRT during their stay, some patients may still choose to leave the property to smoke. Staff and volunteers will not facilitate smoking for patients. Supervised smoking off-site can be provided with the assistance of family or friends. Inpatients wishing to leave RMH property to smoke must sign a Leave of Absence form. They may not take medical equipment such as IV poles off the property; wheelchairs and walkers are permitted.

The hospital is not trying to treat smokers like second-class citizens; rather it’s trying to provide a healthy environment for everyone. We hope that the community will be supportive of this important change.

If you have questions or concerns about this new policy, please contact the hospital’s Public Relations office at 705-328-6246 or email publicrelations@rmh.org.