Extent of smoking at a Danish hospital with a smoke-free policy.
Scand J Public Health
; : 14034948221119637, 2022 Oct 21.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2089111
ABSTRACT
AIM:
One-fifth of the Danish population smoke and exposure to second-hand smoke has well-documented adverse health effects. The smoking policy at hospital level prohibits hospital staff from smoking on the hospital grounds while patients and visitors may smoke in outdoor smoking cabins. This study aimed to quantify smoking at a Danish hospital and document any policy breaches.METHODS:
In April 2020, we collected cigarette butts and observed smokers at the outdoor grounds to document smoking behaviour.RESULTS:
In total, 7152 cigarette butts were collected during one week and 368 people were observed smoking at the outdoor grounds during four observation days. Of all collected cigarette butts, 55% were collected outside the smoking cabins and 62% of all smokers were observed smoking outside the smoking cabins. In addition, 31 staff were observed smoking.CONCLUSIONS:
This study documents that smoking is prevalent at a smoke-free hospital and that the smoking policy is frequently violated. The frequency of smoking outside the cabins may at least partly be influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Smoking at a hospital can expose patients, visitors and staff to second-hand smoke with subsequent adverse health effects. Hospitals could play an exemplary role towards a smoke-free society (and not the exception), but the opportunity is not always seized.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Language:
English
Journal:
Scand J Public Health
Journal subject:
Social Medicine
/
Public Health
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
14034948221119637
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS