Northern Health facilities in the Northwest Health Services Delivery Area are preparing to go smoke-free, effective April 2. The move is part of Northern Health’s overall plan to make all of its facilities and grounds in northern British Columbia smoke-free.

“Tobacco causes some of the most preventable diseases and kills around 6,000 people a year in British Columbia,” said Health Minister George Abbott. “All of British Columbia’s health authorities are working towards becoming smoke free as part of our effort to promote healthier living.”

NH’s smoke-free policy covers all Northern Health facilities and properties. It applies to staff, patients, visitors, volunteers, students, contractors and other people providing services to, or acting on behalf of, Northern Health.

“Our health professionals have worked to develop locally-responsive plans to put this policy in place,” said Rowena Holoien, chief operating officer for the Northwest. “We want our health facilities to lead by example, and having smoke-free buildings and grounds supports that approach.”

Northern Health has put in place special consideration for mental health and addictions programs, as well as for residents in long term care facilities.


NH’s smoke free grounds policy is part of a detailed tobacco reduction strategy, which is a preventive health component of the Northern Cancer Control Strategy. The four tobacco reduction pillars are:

Prevention of initiation of tobacco use;

* Protection from exposure to second hand smoke;
* Enforcement of federal and provincial tobacco control legislation; and
* Cessation support for tobacco users wishing to quit.

In November 2007, government announced that all health authorities would build on the 2007 Tobacco Control Act and ban smoking on all health facility grounds under their smoke-free premises policies.

SOURCE:
Northwest health facilities and properties prepare to go smoke-free