Abstract
The AAP has recommended that pediatricians take the lead in banning cigarette smoking in all pediatric health care facilities. This study investigated the use of “nonsmoking” policies and their planned revisions, problems in enforcement and challenges to restrictive or lenient policies. Mail surveys were sent to all 320 hospitals affiliated with pediatric training programs as the institutions most likely to attempt to comply with the AAP recommendations. Based on data from the first 1/3 of the sample, the hospitals had a range of 12-265 pediatric beds in children's hospitals 26% or defined areas of larger hospitals 71%. All but 3 had formal smoking policies, in place for a median of 6 mos-2 yrs. 72% had revised or were planning revision within the next year. 57% of policies were governed by city, state, university or other regulating bodies. Smoking was entirely banned from all public and private areas in 8%. All programs restricted smoking to designated areas only. Most policies applied to all patients, visitors and employees and to all in- and outpatient facilities. The most common designated areas for smoking were: cafeteria 66%, private offices 62%, outside courtyards 48%, staff lounges 41%, smoking waiting rooms 40%; 78% allowed patient smoking. Policies were made public by signs 93% or brochures 55%. Penalties were usually “leave nonsmoking area” 79% or disciplinary measures for employees 47%. Responsibility of enforcement lay with all employees 88%, security 41% or supervisors 41%. Only 19% reported strict enforcement with stringent penalties. 48% of policies had been challenged by employees, patients or physicians; all but one were dealt with by the hospital administration. Although nearly all policies have been recently or are being revised, pediatric hospitals and wards remain sadly remiss in controlling smoking.
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Jenista, J. Smoking Policy in Peidatric Wards and Hospitals. Pediatr Res 21 (Suppl 4), 258 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00543
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00543