Smoke and Vape-Free Laws at McGill University Health Center Hospitals in Canada

Starting Nov 1, MUHC plans to implement its smoke and vape-free policy at all of its hospital sites which applies to all patients, employees and visitors.

All the four McGill University Health Center hospitals (MUHC) aims for a smoke and vape-free environment. Therefore under a new policy, both smoking and vaping will be banned at its premises.

The MUHC ban goes further than the province's //anti-tobacco legislation, which only bans smoking inside buildings and at least nine meters from hospital entrances.

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"Creating a smoke and vape-free environment is congruent with our mission as a leading academic health center. By encouraging ourselves, our patients and our community to embrace healthier lifestyle habits, we wish to reduce the physical, emotional and financial burden of associated diseases,” said Normand Rinfret, the McGill University Health Center's president and executive director.

Starting Nov 1, MUHC plans to implement its smoke and vape-free policy at all of its hospital sites. Temporary smoking shelters will be installed at each site for at least six months as a transition measure.

All smokers and recent ex-smokers admitted to the MUHC will be offered support programs and medication for nicotine withdrawal symptoms. The ban is applicable to all patients, employees and the visitors.

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Similar bans will come into effect at other MUHC sites in the new year:

January 4, 2016: Montreal General Hospital
March 1, 2016: Montreal Neurological Hospital and Allan Memorial Institute
May 2, 2016: Lachine Hospital and Camille-Lefebvre Pavilion

Source-Medindia

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