The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) is committed to creating healthy environments for patients, staff and public. Therefore, effective July 5, 2004, the WRHA will start to phase in a smoke-free grounds policy at health facilities in Winnipeg. This will prohibit smoking on facility grounds, including:

• Entranceways
  
  
• Sidewalks
  
  
• Driveways
  
  
• Green spaces
  
  
• Parking lots and parkades

The policy will apply to hospitals, community sites and long-term care facilities.

Signs are posted to let patients, visitors and staff know about the policy. Security personnel will enforce the policy and persons found smoking on the grounds will be reminded about the policy and asked to extinguish their cigarette.

It is anticipated that most people will cooperate when asked. Visitors who refuse may be escorted off of the grounds. Inpatients who refuse may have their tobacco products confiscated.

To benefit their own recovery and to respect the health of others, the WRHA strongly recommends patients be smoke-free during their hospitalization. Nicotine replacement therapy (e.g. nicotine gum or patch) is available to support smokers during their hospital stay.

Please note that implementation dates will vary slightly by facility, and there may be some variation in how the policy applies to different sites.