HGH Becomes a Smoke-Free Property

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Media Release

HAWKESBURY – Hawkesbury & District General Hospital (HGH) will become a smoke-free property on July 18, 2016. A smoke-free property is one where all users can breathe clean air, free of second-hand smoke, both indoors and outdoors.

As a health care facility, HGH must provide a safe and healthy environment for patients, visitors, employees, physicians and volunteers. The new policy applies to HGH’s three properties in Hawkesbury: the Main Campus and Trillium Building on Ghislain Street, and the recently opened Mental Health and Addiction Regional Centre on Spence Avenue.

The new Smoke-Free Property policy brings an important change to the non-smoking policy that was in place at HGH since 2006. From now on, smoking will not be allowed anywhere outdoors on hospital grounds, including parking lots, lawns, sidewalks and within parked vehicles. The smoking ban includes all cigarettes, cigars, pipes, electronic cigarettes, vaporizers and medical marijuana.

HGH’s smoke-free policy aims to protect people from exposure to second-hand smoke and to help smokers quit. Visitors and patients arriving at HGH will be notified of the new policy with signage, posters and flyers. Patients who want to quit smoking while staying at the hospital will be provided with resources and access to a smoking cessation program.

People smoking on hospital property may receive a $305 fine. The Eastern Ontario Health Unit (EOHU) has the responsibility to respond to complaints and issue fines. HGH will cooperate with the EOHU on this matter. People with any concerns or questions about the policy can call 613-632-1111, extension 89015 or email communications@hgh.ca.

Key facts

  • Tobacco smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability and death in Canada, resulting in nearly 40,000 premature deaths each year.
  • Second-hand smoke is dangerous. It contains toxic chemicals that can cause cancer and several other health problems.
  • Patients may be exposing themselves to unnecessary health and safety risks if they decide to leave the hospital property to smoke.
  • Over 50% of all Ontario hospitals have already gone entirely smoke-free.

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Marc LeBoutillier, HGH CEO
“As a health care facility, HGH plays an important role in the promotion of health. HGH is becoming 100% smoke-free because we care about the health of our patients, visitors, volunteers, employees, physicians, contract workers and community. As we transform into a full-service regional hospital, it is important to live our mission, vision and values and demonstrate our leadership and commitment to improving the health of the Prescott-Russell community.”

For more information, please contact:
Gisèle Larocque
Director, Community Relations
Hawkesbury & District General Hospital
613-632-1111, ext. 21200