Why get involved in the hospital smoke-free policy ? 11 reasons to get involved in the smoke-free policy of the European Network for Smoke-free Hospitals Why get involved in the hospital smoke-free policy ?

1- Tobacco control is clearly included in hospital duties Hospitals have the following missions: provision of care prevention research and training These missions should be included in all hospital tobacco control policies.

2- The involvement of administrative managers is essential Smoke-free policy (as any hospital policy) requires express involvement of the hospital’s management. Medical and administrative management have to be involved. Involvement does mean that they do all the work To be meaningful, the involvement has to be supported by medical management.

3- It is possible to start the smoke-free policy even with no initial budget Starting the smoke-free policy does not require a specific budget (although it would be desirable in order to obtain staff work time, to organise specific events and to spread documents). In the first stage, it is only necessary to mobilise some staff work time.

4- Smoke-free Hospital is a dynamic process and not a status: each hospital has its own rhythm Do not be afraid of the slowness of the process, but be afraid of its immobility.

5- Smoking-related fires can engage a hospital’s administrative responsibility Fires started due to the smoking by staff, patients and visitors are the first cause of fire in the hospital. Hospital management is liable for this. Cigarette-related fires in the hospitals (source AP-HP) 42% 58%

6- The absence of a smoke-free policy can generate conflicts in rest rooms The non-smokers right to be in smoking-free areas has to be requested by the non-smokers themselves. When suffering from withdrawal symptoms and not receiving NRT, smokers in smoke-free areas can become aggressive or smoke where it is prohibited. It, therefore, creates conflicts between smokers and non smokers.

7- A hospital with no smoke-free policy is often less clean than a smoke-free hospital Cigarette ends damage floors and make them dirty. Walls get dirty more rapidly in smoking areas. A clean hospital is a smoke-free hospital.

8- A well thought out smoke-free policy helps to motivate staff in a positive way 3/4 of non-smoking staff declare that smoke is a nuisance to them. 1/2 of smokers declare that other people’s smoke is a nuisance to them. A smoke-free hospital is not against smokers, who in many cases would like to stop but cannot because they are dependant and need help quitting. Proposing a smoke-free hospital can initiate a strong positive project to mobilise all staff.

9- Floors, computers, air conditioning units operate longer in a smoke-free environment Electronic devices more often go out of order in smoking areas. The inside of a computer or an electronic device in a smoking area is a lot dirtier than in a smoke-free area.

10-For visitors, the hospital image is better A smoke-free hospital is a clean hospital A hospital where a tobacco control policy is implemented is a hospital where patients’ health needs are globally considered. A hospital where staff members are seen smoking is perceived as irresponsible, as a hospital that cannot treat its own problems.

Most European hospital are under accreditation process. 11- Smoke-free policy is a positive point leading towards hospital accreditation Mrs Magda Aelvoet nn Mrs Gisela Stuart Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to Health Ministry Department of Health Richmond House Whitehall 79 LONDON SW1A 2NS UNITED-KINGDOM Tel: +44 207 210 4850 Fax: +44 207 210 5410 Paris, May 30th 2001 Dear Madam, During the latest meeting of the European Network of Smoke-free Hospitals, it appeared to the twelve participating countries that European hospitals were, at various stages, under accreditation procedure, but only one country (France) included smoking criteria. The French experience, which included three smoking criteria’s in hospitals’ accreditation procedure, shows the efficiency of such simple measures. The three criteria concern: Implementation of a smoke-free policy within the hospital (European Code herewith included); Providing help and assistance to smokers willing to cease smoking; Fire safety. We would be very much interested in knowing if you have already started such a procedure, of which we have not yet been informed, or if you plan to implement it in the near future. May 31st, International Tobacco-free day, would be a symbolic date in order to announce such a measure within your country. Should you request any further information, feel free to contact me, Yours faithfully, Pr. Bertrand Dautzenberg ENSH Coordinator Most European hospital are under accreditation process. Directly or not, tobacco is taken into account in hospitals’ evaluation.