The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Submitted by NOR-MAN Regional Health Authority Why is the NOR-MAN Regional Health Authority going smoke free? Our mission is Healthy People in Healthy Communities; principally, we are committed to our responsibility as leaders in health care to improve the health of our residents. As a Regional Health Authority we are committed to following Best Practice and standards of care in health care settings. Moving forward on this initiative of becoming a 100 per cent smoke-free environment is a significant step in enhancing the life of our clients, patients, and general population. As a healthcare provider it is essential that we reduce the amount of exposure to second- and third-hand smoke for our patients. Smoke from tobacco products is a proven health hazard. Tobacco use is still one of the leading preventable causes of death, disease and disability. In her 2010 report, How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease, Dr. Regina Benjamin, Surgeon General of the United States, stated there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke. Smoking rates in our region continue to decline, increasing the number of non-smokers and decreasing the number of smokers. According to our 2009-10 Community Health Assessment, a total of 27.2 per cent of NOR-MAN residents age 12 and over currently smoke. How does this affect me? This policy is not about getting people to quit; we are simply asking you to smoke off property. Patients who smoke will be supported during their stay with us. Upon admission to hospital, patients will be asked if Nicotine Replacement Therapy (gum/patch) is being requested. If yes, NRT will be provided free of charge. These medications will help to keep you comfortable and help you avoid nicotine withdrawal while in hospital. Details will be discussed with patients upon admission. If you are a visitor to any of our facilities, you will also be requested to smoke off property. Signs will be displayed on property indicating we offer our patients a smoke free environment. Are you concerned about patient safety? Yes, we are always concerned about the safety of our patients; this includes both our smoking patients and non-smoking patients. Research supports that second- and third-hand smoke has associated health risks. As of yet there is no scientific or regulatory health body worldwide that has established a safe level of exposure to second hand smoke. We must move forward with this initiative. It is about the smoke, not the smoker. During their stay in our facilities, patients who smoke will be offered NRT to help with the nicotine withdrawal. When is this effective? This policy becomes effective as of May 31, which is also World No Tobacco Day. On this day, patients entering our facilities will be asked if they smoke and will be offered nicotine replacement therapy to help make them comfortable while they are staying in hospital. Are there any exceptions to this policy? Yes, at this time the residents of two personal care homes will be exempt from this policy. The two care homes are Northern Lights Manor in Flin Flon and St. Paul's Residence in The Pas. These residents however, will be offered NRT as well.
