Northern Health Smoke Free Grounds Policy

At Northern Health, we want to lead better health care by example. That’s why Northern Health will put in place a smoke free grounds policy by 2008.

This new policy will prohibit tobacco use in or on all NH owned or operated facilities and grounds. This policy is  important in cutting tobacco use, providing a healthy working environment for health professionals and protecting our patients and their families from exposure to second-hand smoke.

This policy is part of our tobacco reduction strategy based on:

• Helping people to avoid using tobacco altogether;

• Protecting people from exposure to second-hand smoke;

• Enforcing federal and provincial tobacco control legislation; and

• Support and programs for tobacco users who want to quit.

Reducing tobacco use is also a big part of the Northern Cancer Control Strategy.

We’re putting this policy in place after studying similar policies from health organizations across Canada. All BC health authorities will have these policies in place in 2008.

We will make some exceptions and alternate timelines for:

• Mental Health and Addictions Services

• Home and community Carte ( including palliative care)

• Cultural ceremonial use of tobacco within program areas or NH facilities

• Agreements with agencies or facilities funded primarily by NH

To learn more about NH's smoke free grounds policy:

• NH Smoke Free Grounds Policy: FAQs

For more information about Northern Health's Tobacco Reduction Strategy, please contact the Tobacco Reduction Coordinator in your area.

If you have questions or feedback about Northern Health's smoke free grounds policy, please email smoke.free@northernhealth.ca

Northern Health has supports and services to help you quit smoking. If you want to quit and would like some help, click here.

For more information about how to quit smoking, please see the links below:

QuitNow

Health Canada - Go Smokefree

Tobaccofacts