How to deal with patients and staff who are addicted smokers in a smokefree hospital. A story in New Zealand.
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Defiant smokers a fag for hospital - Dominion Post
13 October 2006
By KELLY ANDREW
Wellington Hospital visitors – and even some patients – are defying smokefree rules and lighting up on the grounds.
Heidi Poudel, who is six months pregnant, contacted The Dominion Post after battling a cloud of smoke near the entrance to the Grace Neill building, which houses the maternity wing.
There were so many people smoking outside the doors, next to large "smokefree area" signs, that she and her four-year-old son were left gasping for breath as they walked through, she said.
Mrs Poudel said she had seen staff smoking alongside patients.
"When it's a building where pregnant women are entering and leaving from and they've got kids with them, it's pretty on the nose.
"I think a lot of smokers' attitude is `Well, stuff everyone else'. They're just thinking about themselves and getting their fix."
The Dominion Post saw about 10 people smoking outside the entrance to the Grace Neill block in a 45-minute period this week.
AdvertisementAdvertisementThe smokers – who did not include hospital staff – were within metres of a sign saying "Welcome to our Smokefree Area".
Patient Marilyn Donoghue from Paraparaumu was one of them, despite being in a wheelchair and suffering from chronic lung disease. She was unrepentant.
"There isn't anywhere else to go and smoke, the hospital can't stop it. If it wasn't for the taxes taken from smoking this place wouldn't be going."
Fellow smoker Violet Baker, who has lung cancer and was towing a portable drip, said the hospital should provide a smoking area. "Businesses do it, workplaces do it, why can't the hospital?"
Ms Baker said she was not worried about the effect on other patients.
"It's an open area. A lot of the pregnant women come out here and smoke."
She had tried everything to give up. "I'd love to be free of it, but I need it."
Capital and Coast District Health Board chief operating officer Meng Cheong said the smokefree policy was enforced by staff.
The hospital was concerned about pregnant women having to walk through cigarette smoke and he encouraged members of the public to report breaches of the policy.
Mr Cheong said staff were not allowed to smoke in uniform on site and breaches were dealt with by managers.
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