Drawing the line for smokers

Could a smoking ban at Eastern Health mean a smoke-free Memorial?

By Gina Gill

Eastern Health issued a statement on March 2 to remind everyone about their zero-tolerance smoking policy, and while the program aims to better the health of the general public, nicotine addicts are left doubting those involved in the anti-cigarette campaign.

In a press release earlier this week, Vickie Kaminski, CEO of Eastern Health, thanked those who’ve adhered to the anti-tobacco campaign, and spoke to those who have not.

“[W]e know there are people who are still smoking on Eastern Health property and I’m reminding people of the policy so that we can eliminate all smoking around our facilities. We will be aggressively enforcing this policy.”

The ban, implemented in September 2009, states that no person shall be allowed to smoke in or around buildings, parking lots, vehicles, or on Eastern Health owned and leased properties, including the Health Sciences Center.

Currently the Health Science Center (HSC) is the location of many of Memorial’s medically oriented faculties including the MUN School of Nursing, Pharmacy, and Medicine.

But because the HSC is technically also a part of the university, smokers are wondering if this will eventually mean a cigarette ban on this side of the campus.

Kevin Coady, the executive director with the Newfoundland and Labrador Alliance for Tobacco Control, has been trying to work with administration at Memorial regarding its on-campus smoking policy.

“We have raised the issue of a smoke-free campus. At the very least entrances should be smoke-free. A couple of years ago [Memorial] made some entrances smoke-free and others smoking areas. I think students are confused,” said Coady.

Coady said that it is the responsibility of the students to push for smoking sections to be removed from entranceways. He also believes that even smokers will support their relocation as long as they are still allowed to have a draw.

“Its not that they can’t have their cigarette, I just don’t want to have to go through 10 smokers to get somewhere,” said Coady.

Coady says that the fact that smokers can smoke in doorways is “nuts” and that it shouldn’t be allowed.

Memorial’s Director of Health and Safety, Shelia Miller says that changing smoking sections and policy on campus is a huge project.

“Its a challenge to satisfy everyone. It has to be balanced. It has to be a joint decision,” she said.

Referring to those who smoke Miller said, “students live on campus, so I think about winter and I don’t want them out on the sidewalk.”

Mike Hartmann, a public health graduate student, said smokers are faced with a difficult set of circumstances, especially those who are seeking help with their addiction and who are advised not to smoke.

“Maybe there should be a specific section for specific people. Smokers are outcasted.”

Hartmann said that he feels like the freedom of smokers is being taken away but at the same time believes that “no one else should suffer from another’s bad habit.”

In an interview with CBC, Ann-Marie Squires said that Eastern Health should at least still have designated smoking areas on their properties. Smoking a cigarette by the hospital’s front entrance Squires said, “It’s not fair. The way I figure it, if you … [want] to smoke, you should be able to.”

CEO Kaminski has specifically reminded members of Eastern Health, which include those Memorial students who study at the HSC and elsewhere, that not complying with the non-smoking policy could result in their eventual termination.

Share