MANITOULIN—While the Manitoulin Health Centre (MHC) will comply with new smoking legislation put in place by the province, the chief executive officer of the MHC has voiced concerns with the new laws.
“From a health perspective I can understand, but to not allow smoking anywhere on the grounds of hospitals—where people who want to smoke are going to congregate is on the sidewalks near roads,” stated Derek Graham, responding to provincial legislation put in place as of January 1. This includes a province-wide smoking ban on all hospital grounds and will be a big change for hospitals like the MHC two hospital locations, he said. Currently, the MHC is smoke free within eight metres of and inside the hospital facilities, but smoking is allowed outside of that area on hospital property.
“Currently we have rules in place that people can’t smoke within eight metres of our hospital buildings,” said Mr. Graham. “Now with this new legislation, immediately or phased in within two years, there is not supposed to be any smoking allowed on any part of the hospital grounds. I think the legislation is a little draconian and heavy-handed, especially for elderly persons who have smoked most of their lives and veterans who may be in the last years of their life. Now we have to say they can’t smoke at all on hospital grounds?”
“It is going to be difficult to enact and enforce and who will be responsible for this?” queried Mr. Graham. “I can see this from a health perspective, and banning smoking in and near hospital buildings, absolutely, but this legislation is going to be a tough transition for many people in areas like Manitoulin Island.”
“Hospitals can ask for a two-year phase in to look at where designated smoking areas can be set up,” said Mr. Graham. “We’re unclear of how the changes have to be made. We will be meeting with a tobacco compliance officer with the Sudbury District Health Unit (SDHU) this week. Yes, we will work through this and, of course, comply with the legislation. But I think the whole thing will be problematic, it’s not going to be easy to implement in many rural communities. Statistics show tobacco use is a lot higher in rural communities than in urban centres and it will present a huge lifestyle change for a lot of people.”
“Moving forward we have to find out exactly what the hospital obligations are with this legislation, who is going to enforce the rules for instance,” said Mr. Graham. “Frankly, we have a lot bigger fish to fry to concern ourselves with, although yes, we will comply somehow.”
“I think people deserve and have the right to free choice if they smoke or not,” said Mr. Graham.
The provincial legislation will allow hospitals to issue fines of up to $250 to anyone who smokes within nine metres of the hospital entrances.
As of January 1, the province’s ban on the sale of flavoured tobacco also came into effect. Children will also be banned from buying e-cigarettes. E-cigarette suppliers and retailers need to see identification from anyone who appears to be under the age of 25, if they wish to purchase their products and retailers will also need to post signs detailing the new age restrictions, and, as with regular cigarette sales, could face stiff fines if they are caught settling e-cigarettes to minors.
