Children's Hospital Bans Smoking by Staff

The Associated Press ^ | Dec 5, 7:34 AM EST | The Associated Press

[BenLurkin]

Employees going outside into the open air to smoke soon won't be good enough for Children's Hospital management. Starting May 1, Children's Hospital staff members won't be allowed to smoke on the premises.

If employees still want to smoke, they'll have to walk a couple of blocks until they're off the sprawling hospital grounds. Three outdoor smoking huts will remain but only visitors will be allowed to use them.

Patients should not have to contend with the lingering scent of cigarette smoke on staff members returning from breaks, said Keith Goodwin, the hospital's president and chief executive officer.

"It's counterintuitive to be a health-care professional and to understand all the objective facts about the dangers of smoking but still smoke," he said.

Hospital security guards will enforce the ban.

Tracy Sabetta, director of Tobacco-Free Ohio, a nonprofit group aimed at eliminating secondhand smoke in public places, lauded Children's Hospital for the move.

"At a facility that works to protect the health of children, setting an example (of not smoking) is something that's been a long time in coming," she said.

[BenLurkin]

Hoo-boy. The anti-tobacco nuts just won't stop.

[JimVT]

As a former (50 year) smoker I gotta agree with this.

I am really sensitive to smoke odors nowadays.

I don't advocate banning butts but(!) I'd just as soon avoid the smell.

[Arkie2]

And the beat goes on. Next step will be for cities to ban smoking in any public areas. There are already some rumblings about banning smoking in homes containing children. The puritans have found another outlet. Since all forms of sexuality are now condoned they have to have someone to step on and feel superior to. Looks like smokers will be forced to be the new whipping boys for a long time to come.

[em2vn]

The same extremists mentality as PETA and ELF.

[Conspiracy Guy]

I have seen no mention of the latest second hand smoke threat, the drive by smoking. In many areas of the country this horrendous crime is on the upswing. A perfectly healthy smoke gnatzie (5'4" 275 lb) is standing on a street corner wearing a stretch pants and shirt combination with floral scarf. Suddenly a car stops with the windows down and smokers inside waiting for the light to change. While this is happening the smoke gnatzie is exposed to huge amounts of second hand smoke. The light changes and the criminals drive away. Who can the smoke gnatzie sue for damages? In most cities these crimes are committed by smoke gangs, "The Menthols, The Non-Menthols, The Filters, The Non-Filters, The Regulars, and The Kings. Something must be done and soon. If not for us all, for the children.

[Mr. Bird]

There's more to smoking bans on hospital campuses than meets the eye. The Joint Commission on the Accredition of Healthcare Organizations has very strict inspections regarding cigarette butts. If only one is found on premises, it could result in a "Type 1" violation, jeopardizing the hospital's accreditation. They do allow a segregated area for patient and employee smoking, but that has risks.

City hospital employees have it a little easier, as their "premises" tend to be constrained and employees merely need to walk to an appropriate corner of the block. Suburban hospitals have it tougher.

At any rate, I'm a smoker and don't think it's unreasonable to strictly enforce smoking bans at hospitals. They wouldn't let anyone promote any other unhealthy activities on their premises.

[Agnes Heep]

If the government were trying to mandate such a thing, I'd be against it. Since it's a private agency, I've got no problem with it; in fact, I applaud it.

Someone needs to invent a nicotine suppository, so our heavily-addicted friends can get their fix as unobtrusively as possible.

[AppyPappy]

What about medicinal marijuana?

[metesky]

What about medicinal marijuana?

If it's for the chirrun, OK!
;O)

[xrp]

Well, the employer is a private entity. If you don't like it, don't work there or take your kids to a hospital where the employees are allowed to smell like dead ass.

Face it, lingering cigarette smoke smells HORRIBLE and there is a certain level of hygene to be expected from people who work in the health care industry, especially around children.

You wouldn't want someone who eats chili all day and farts all day around you taking care of you would you? How about someone who showers once a month and exercises daily (sweating a lot of stink up)? How about someone who changes underwear once a month?

P.U.

[xrp]

Next step will be for cities to ban smoking in any public areas.

Hi, this was an independent action by a private business. Employees who wish to smoke on breaks are free to find another line of employment and parents who wish to have their children cared for by putrid smelling employees are free to take their kids to another hospital.

[Arkie2]

So you advocate banning people who eat objectionable foods next? Like I said, the beat goes on and you appear to be one of the drummers.

[Judith Anne]

I'm a light smoker, 4-5 per day. I never smoke during the 12-1/2 hours I spend at work, I am always clean, and many do not know that I smoke. I can smell smoke on the clothes of visitors who are smokers, but it doesn't offend me. I can smell smoke on patients, after they've gone outside to smoke (making them go outside when they're sick is grounds for a lawsuit, somewhere, imho) and it doesn't bother me.

I don't want to quit smoking. I've found, over the years, that due to being busy, long shifts, etc., I smoke a lot less than when I was a kid. But I don't patronize ANY restaurant that doesn't permit smoking.

And I think some people make a career out of pretending to be harmed by a whiff of smoke somewhere. It's ridiculous.
It's bullying behavior. Smokers have rights, but until the 25% of us Americans who smoke stand up for ourselves, you won't know it.

Some days, after listening to all the propaganda and wierd science, I think I'd vote for a democrat, if they would just stop the nicotine wars. Then I come to my senses, and remind myself that democrats are the ones who want all that extra pack-tax money for their entitlement programs, and for lining the pockets of lawyers who want those billion-dollar settlements.

[xrp]

So you advocate banning people who eat objectionable foods next? Like I said, the beat goes on and you appear to be one of the drummers.

People who eat objectionable foods don't smell like rotten ass. So you advocate 'the right to smoke' even if a private employer mandates against it? Like I said the beat of socialism across America goes on and you appear to be one of the drummers.

[Arkie2]

I'm a Socialist!? LOL! Where'd you come up with that? Why not just call me a communist and be done with it? Every small minded person needs someone to hate. We're not allowed to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion ( unless you're a Christian ), or sexual orientation so a thoughtful media class and an understanding government have made it OK to hate smokers. Small minds everywhere rejoice at the ability to condemn someone. Fell free to spew, it's OK.

[carpio]

As a former (50 year) smoker I gotta agree with this. I am really sensitive to smoke odors nowadays.

I don't advocate banning butts but(!) I'd just as soon avoid the smell.

I agree. I smoked three to five packs a day for twenty years. Then quit about ten years ago. When you are smoking you have no idea how revolting the stench is to those around you.

Even when I was smoking though I don't think I would have complained about not being allowed to smoke at a Children's Hospital.

I think smokers today bring a lot of grief on themselves by trying to defend the public act of burning weeds, paper and chemicals (smoking) as some sort of Divine Right. Which it clearly is not.

[Judith Anne]

People who eat objectionable foods don't smell like rotten ass. So you advocate 'the right to smoke' even if a private employer mandates against it? Like I said the beat of socialism across America goes on and you appear to be one of the drummers.

That is a very wierd post. Where on earth are you getting socialsim out of this? BTW, you sound just like a smokenazi, to me.

[Judith Anne]

It may not be a "Divine Right" but until the nanny-state stepped in, along with money-hungry trial lawyers and smokenazi judges, it wasn't a frikken crime.

And I DON'T REMEMBER EVER VOTING ON THE RIGHT TO SMOKE! These regulations are slipped in and have the force of law, put in place by UNELECTED OFFICIALS who mandate behavior. Remember, someday, YOUR ox may be gored. At that time, you'll find sympathy in the dictionary between sh...never mind.

[Deadeye Division]

Staff can’t smoke in or near Children’s
Hospital’s new policy to take effect May 1
Friday, December 05, 2003
Alayna DeMartini
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Children’s Hospital employees who dart outside to catch a few puffs on a break will have to change their ways.

Come spring, the hospital will bar staff members from smoking on the property. Even the three outdoor smoking huts at the South Side complex will be off-limits.

Children’s is the first Franklin County hospital to ban staff smoking on the premises. Employees at other hospitals in the county are permitted to smoke in outdoor shelters, hospital representatives said.

An e-mail sent Nov. 18 to Children’s staff members told them of the change. It’s to take effect May 1.

Patients should not have to contend with the lingering scent of cigarette smoke on staff members returning from breaks, said Keith Goodwin, the hospital’s president and chief executive officer.

"It’s counterintuitive to be a health-care professional and to understand all the objective facts about the dangers of smoking but still smoke," he said.

Hospital security guards will enforce the ban.

The smoking policy for visitors will not change. Visitors will be able to use three outdoor shelters — glass-enclosed spaces that have benches and are lighted and heated, with a phone for emergencies.

The new policy is part of a recent effort in Columbus and statewide to ban smoking in public places.

A city coalition of business, community and health leaders announced last month that it will push for a smoking ban in bars, businesses and restaurants. Toledo imposed such a ban in August.

Tobacco-Free Ohio, a nonprofit group aimed at eliminating secondhand smoke in public places, has been advocating a smoking ban on the premises of all health-care centers in the state.

"Eliminating any possibility of patients’ exposure to secondhand smoke is a step in the right direction," said Tracy Sabetta, the organization’s director.

Sabetta said she’s encouraged by the Children’s policy.

"At a facility that works to protect the health of children, setting an example (of not smoking) is something that’s been a long time in coming," she said.

Other Franklin County hospitals do not plan to ban employee smoking because no complaints have been received, their representatives said.

But Mary Ann Wolf, vice president of human resources for Mount Carmel hospitals, pointed out, "In an ideal world you would want your employees not to smoke."

ademartini@dispatch.com

[VRWC_minion]

The kids and their parents don't need to deal with the stench while in the hospital.

In any case, here the PRIVATE owner of the PRIVATE business has decreed this. Smokers shouldn't have any problem because this is the standard they want for restaurant and bar owners.