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| PHC Smoke-Free Premises | ||||
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PROVIDENCE HEALTH CARE GOES SMOKE-FREE This spring, Providence Health Care sites will be smoke-free. As of May 31, 2008, smoking will not be permitted on PHC properties, including all buildings, grounds and parking lots. PHC will allow specific considerations and tobacco use will be permitted at some PHC residences, in designated outdoor areas, and at Aboriginal ceremonies. These considerations will be reviewed annually. As part of PHC's smoke-free policy, inpatients will be offered a variety of clinical supports and will have access to smoking cessation products - nicotine patch, gum, inhaler, and prescription drugs - at no cost while under PHC care. Both PHC and City of Vancouver smoke-free regulations build on the provincial government's Tobacco Control Act, which came into effect on March 31, 2008. The Tobacco Control Act mandates smoke-free health authorities and allows cities and municipalities to have local regulations that are more stringent than provincial regulations. The province has given health authorities until fall 2008 to be tobacco free, but PHC will meet this requirement early. PHC employees who want to quit smoking can also access nicotine replacement therapy as a staff benefit. PHC Smoke Free Premises Policy (pdf) |
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