The Leader Post
September 5, 1973. p.3
By Barry Wilson
of the Star-Phoenix
"Please, for patient comfort, health and fire safety, do not smoke in patient or other restricted areas in the hospital."
The sign hangs in the main entrance to University Hospital and officials there hope it will help take some of the haze out of hospital living.
It is just one reflection of a campaign being waged to reduce smoking in some areas of the hospital.
While all three city hospitals now have some restrictions on smoking, University Hospital's crusade is the most vigorous and wide ranging.
It includes no-smoking regulations for visitors, patients and staff in all but specially designated areas, and an effort to encourage staff members to reduce their smoking habits.
"What we're trying to do is effectively control smoking, recognizing it as a hazard," says Bob Shaw, administrative assistant at University Hospital.
The campaign, he said, is being waged both for the safety and comfort of patients and as a means to educate the public about the hazards of smoking.
The anti-smoking drive was given impetus by Deparment of Health interest in hospitals adopting a stand on the cigarette issue, and a resolution from the hospital's medical staff suggesting the question should be looked at.
Then, the hospital board passed a resolution in June recommending that "as health workers, all staff at University Hospital discourage smoking only as protection for their own health, but as an example for the community."
Signs restricting smoking began to appear in early July, department heads were instructed to tell their staffs about the new regulations, restricted areas were designated and staff members were encouraged to attend a five-day course, offered at the hospital, to help them stop smoking.
Areas off limits for smokers include corridors, elevators, theatres, and areas of the hospital which house patients with respiratory problems.
Patients and staff are encouraged to smoke in the designated lounges and while smoking is now permitted in the cafeteria, officials say they are considering making sections of it off limits.
Enforcement of the restrictions, however, depends on social pressure and voluntary co-operation, rather than coercion.
"It's a tough thing to police," said Mr. Shaw. "We want it to be on their honor. If we see someone smoking in a restricted area, we'll ask them not to, but that's all."
Added Tony Dagnone, assistant exective director, "We had to keep in mind that people who smoke have certain rights, while people who don't smoke should be protected."
That theme is also reflected in restrictions set by Saskatoon's other two hospitals.
At St. Paul's, according to Mrs. Irene Milligan, executive secretary, visitors are asked not to smoke "for the comfort and safety of the patients."
However, there is no general policy covering all patients.
City Hospital has signs posted in hallways prohibiting smoking in corridors, but visitors and patients can smoke in the rooms, according to Assistant Director Elmer Schwartz.
Project Stop Smoke, an Opportunities For Youth display tour, visited the hospitals during the summer, but St. Paul's and City Hospital do not have campaigns aimed specifically at reducing staff smoking, according to the spokesman.
"I think the reaction from the staff has been very good. There has been some exceptions from people who have smoked for a long time, but they are outnumbered by those who like it, and in fact, some think it should be even tightened up more."
Officials say there are no plans to ban smoking completely from the hospital, but the results of the restrictions will be studied to determine what policy should be followed in the future.
Does the policy appear to be having an affect at the hospital?
It is too early to tell yet, they say, but there are some individual high level success stories.
Executive Director Earl Dick, for instance, says his smoking has declined since the campaign started.
"So I guess it's having an effect, at least on me."
