[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?

[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.

[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.

[Revolting cat!]

What about smoking by the patients?

[DumpsterDiver]

"If employees still want to smoke, they'll have to walk a couple of blocks until they're off the sprawling hospital grounds."

That is quickly followed up with:

"Patients should not have to contend with the lingering scent of cigarette smoke on staff members returning from breaks, said Keith Goodwin,"

Give Keith a few months and the employees who smoke and "walk a couple of blocks until they're off the sprawling hospital grounds" to do so will be ordered to either quit smoking or they'll lose their jobs.

[Cultural Jihad]

If you can come up with a way whereby no one is ever affected by the actions of others, then please post it. As a suggestion, in the meantime smokers can make use of these available products between their breaks.

[eastforker]

One KOOL morning Miss Pall Mall was walking down Chesterfield lane,she met up with Phillip Morris.He eventualy stuck his King Size L&M into her Flip Top Box.If she doesn't look like a Camel in 9 months it will be a Lucky Strike.

[nina0113]

Ha. When I lived in Minneapolis the gnatzies decided that health care workers weren't allowed to BE smokers period. Not just on hospital property - they were forced to go to smoke ending classes & sign agreements & if they didn't quit within a certain period of time, they became FORMER health care workers. As in, unemployed.