Hospital Extends Smoking Ban to Lots, Vehicles
Holy smoke!
Starting on Independence Day, Cape Regional Medical Center will become a smoke-free campus.
Smoking will not be permitted anywhere on the medical center property.
That includes the buildings, grounds, parking lots, company vehicles, vehicles parked in the lots, and sidewalks adjacent to all properties owned or operated by the medical center.
That includes the properties on Village Drive and Cape Radiology in Rio Grande.
As a frequent user of hospital services, it will be great not to walk through a cloud of smoke outside the entrance.
My hat’s off to the hospital, but this new policy will only be as good as its enforcement. On that, I remain to be convinced. Who’ll be the first to take a cigarette out of the hand of a doctor lighting up in the physicians’ parking lot?
How do you feel about this — a great idea or has the hospital gone too far?
posted by Joe Zelnik @ 5:26 PM
10 Comments
10 Comments:
Gone too far! Yes, we all know that smoking is a major health risk. But the loss of freedom of choice is a greater risk. Perhaps a better policy would be to ban smoking inside, while permitting it in designated areas outdoors, where the health risk to non-smokers is negligible. We all have our "vices" and personal indulgences. What's next? Banning pizza from the hospital since it can contribute to heart disease?
Of course it's too far. Such "bans" have nothing to do with safeguarding health, and everything to do with controlling the lives of others.
When cigarette smoking (an inherently legal activity) is targeted to the virtual exclusion of marijuana smoking (unequivically illegal activity), then the agenda becomes clear.
The first person who tries to interfere with my private smoking may get my cigarette put out on their nearest body part that resembles an ashtray.
As a nonsmoker who gets truly ill around cigarette smoke, I have thoroughly enjoyed the smoking bans -- and I will be glad for this one, too. I agree with you, Joe; walking through the haze of cigarette smoke outside of buildings (restaurants, stores, etc.) is gagging and disgusting.
But here is a suggestion. In health-conscious California, smoking is banned everywhere indoors and at least 50 feet away from the nearest building; however, there are designated smoking areas outdoors provided in some cases by the business establishment and in other cases by the city or town. These areas remind me of the faux living rooms scattered throughout shopping malls primarily for the benefit of husbands. With their potted plants and outdoor furniture, they looked quite cozy; and my mother (a dedicated smoker, who also suffers with emphysema) treated these areas as though they were her own patio, welcoming fellow smokers and chatting away. Perhaps this is a solution?
I believe the hospital had a ban on smoking within 50 feet of entrances. but I never saw it enforced. This obviously goes much, much farther.
Loss of freedom? What the freedom to inflict your addiction on someone else who would just like the freedom to breath air free from your smoke polutants?
It is especially important that people entering a hospital are not assaulted with the inconsiderate, and deadly fumes of the thoughtless.
Good for the hospital.
What are you whiners talking about? Walking through a cloud of smoke. Its outside idiots. The wind is blowing the smoke away. And you Zenik what are you about 90 years old? Afraid a little smoke is gonna kill you? Boy you old folks just want to live forever dont you.
I think it's ridiculous! Patients look forward to having visitors. I feel that this ban will cut short visits to the sick family members. With all the ground over there, why in the world can't they make an area for those that smoke to go to? Why can't they sit in their cars and smoke. More and more freedom is being taken away from us in this country. It's just not right!
So you ban-ners will walk or drive through all the exhaust fumes from the buses, trucks and automobiles on the adjacent highway, but you object to walking past someone exhaling a mouthful of tobacco smoke on the sidewalk? Who do you think you’re kidding---if you’re not bothered by diesel fumes, why does a puff of a cigar or cigarette annoy you? Obviously, it’s the act and not the consequences. Same old story---inflict your will on others.
Please be understanding that the Security Guards who have to enforce the rule, didn't make the rule. They are just doing their job, don't take it out on them. Thanks!
Smoking is the single most important cause of the many serious diseases that are overburdening our healthcare system. Even if you smoke in your car, with the windows up, when you leave the car your clothing, hair and skin are permeated with this noxious odor. Do you tink that is pleasant for a patient trying to recover from whatever ails them? I for one would become instantly nauseaus. Why can't these people realize that they are comitting slow suicide and then when the damage is done, they want the Dr. to give them a pill to fix it. We all have our bad habits but not all of them are a danger to everyone around us.
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