Making Canadian healthcare facilities 100% smoke-free: a national trend emerges

Abstract

When the Calgary Health Region, the Mental Health Centre in Penetanguishene and Capital Health in Nova Scotia declared their sites 100% smoke-free (both buildings and grounds) in May of 2002 and May of 2003 respectively, the change was considered radical and foolish by some. Since then, the move to 100% smoke-free healthcare facilities has become a national trend in Canada, with many facilities following suit and many others planning to make the change. In this article, the authors reflect on what they have learned in these three jurisdictions and offer some advice for healthcare facilities preparing to implement smoke-free property policies.