Smoke-Free Environment

Campus Smoke-Free Zone Maps

UMHS Smoke-Free Zone Maps

Why are we Smoke-Free?

On February 14, 1999, the University of Michigan Health System (Hospitals and Health Centers, Medical School and MCARE) and School of Nursing adopted a smoke-free environment policy. Smoking is prohibited both indoors and outdoors on all properties owned by the Health System and School of Nursing. For inpatients who use tobacco, we provide an inpatient program which starts with a bedside visit from a Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist. If you have any questions or comments regarding our policy please or email quitsmoking@med.umich.edu. Your feedback is important to us.

Below are some of the frequently asked questions regarding our smoke-free policy.

Q: Why is the University of Michigan Health System (UMHS) Smoke-free?

A: UMHS is dedicated to working with local and state partners to build healthy communities; a smoke-free setting is a big step in that direction. UMHS is committed to wellness and prevention as well as treatment. We seek to set a good example to all who come here by removing the presence of smoking.

Q: Why was smoking picked instead of other health risks?

A: Here are a few facts:

  • Smoking is the number one reason for avoidable illness and death.
  • Over 440,000 people die each year from smoking related diseases. This is more than all alcohol, cocaine, crack, heroin, homicide, suicide, car crash, fire, and AIDS deaths together.
  • Smoking is a factor in heart disease, cancer, stroke, and lung disease.
  • Smoking costs the U. S. $96.7 billion each year in public and private healthcare expenditures.
  • U.S. loses $97.6 in productivity from smoking.
  • Patients who smoke before surgery have twice the risk of infection of nonsmokers.
  • Smoking slows healing after surgery.
  • A smoker’s broken bones take almost twice as long to heal

Q: What if I do not want to quit smoking?

A: Our policy is not meant to “make” anyone quit. Our policy has two goals: 1.) Remove smoking from our property so we can better help those who are trying to quit smoking while they are here, and 2.) Make a clear statement that good health and healthcare do not include the use of tobacco.

Q: Where can I smoke?

A: You can smoke outside of the smoke-free border. You can get a map of our smoke-free area at any information or help desk. Visitors can also smoke in their vehicles. We ask that you do not smoke in the parking structures unless you are inside of your car. Click here for map (pdf).

All employees who see patients and visitors smoking on our property should be courteous in informing them of the smoke-free policy.

Q: How does the smoking cessation program work?

A: For individuals interested in assistance to quit smoking, there are several options to choose. All programs are free of charge for employees, and to patients with UMHS physician referral. All others $100 for entire seven week class.

Every month at least one quit smoking group is offered. This format meets eight times in seven weeks. The first three weeks are spent preparing to quit, the fourth session is quit night, and the last four sessions are spent on staying quit. The advantages of the group format are a larger support base from other group members going through the same process as well as drawing from a broader range of experiences when developing cessation coping strategies.

For those who feel a group experience does not suit them, there is individual counseling available. Individuals or couples can meet with a counselor for up to five, 50-minute sessions. The advantage of individual sessions is the focus is entirely on the individual and allows for greater flexibility in scheduling appointments.

For more information or to register click HERE.

Here are a few good tips if you are ready to quit smoking.

  • Set a quit date.
  • Tell family, friends, and
    co-workers of your quit plan.
  • Ask for help.
  • Get rid of all tobacco items
  • Break the tobacco pattern
  • Know your triggers
  • Drink lots of juice and water
  • use hard candy or gum
  • Keep your hands busy
  • Begin an excercise plan
  • Reward yourself

    Don’t be discouraged. You can do it!
    Remember...
    Never quit quitting!

Implementing a Smoke-Free Environment

A Checklist to Implement a Smoke-free Environment

  1. Announce top management’s commitment to create a smoke-free environment.
  2. Assign responsibility and authority for coordinating the implementation of the SFE to an appropriate member of senior management.
  3. Create a task force to plan implementation of the new smoke-free environment.
    • Include persons who smoke, nonsmokers, former smokers and representatives of any officially recognized employee organization.
  4. Develop a timetable. Set a specific date to be smoke-free.
  5. Gather information including:
    • The medical, economic, and social effects of smoking
    • Smoke-free policies implemented by other organizations.
    • Facilities (e.g., physical constraints or leases with other organizations that may influence policy decisions).
    • Employees (percentage of nonsmokers and smokers, level of enthusiasm).
    • Existing smoking policy.
    • Legal issues (legislation, regulation, union contracts, and other contracts).
  6. Draft the implementation plan to phase in the smoke-free environment. Have it reviewed and refined by the appropriate individuals and groups.
  7. Announce the policy and implementation plan to al employees through a letter from the Chief Executive Officer.
  8. Educate employees, patients and guests:
    • Training sessions for managers
    • Feedback sessions for employees
    • Company newsletter, paycheck inserts, all staff emails
    • Signs, displays, leaflets
    • Flyers in patient appointment reminders
    • Flyers/posters in waiting areas
    • Notices in present designated smoking areas
    • News releases to local media
  9. Offer smoking cessation programs to employees and their families at least 6 months prior to implementation day.
  10. Obtain insurance coverage of at least one cessation drug.
  11. Have the pharmacy carry cessation pharmaceutical inventories.
  12. Make changes to facilitate the smoke-free environment.
    • Install "Smoke-free Area", "Smoke-free Environment — No Smoking in this Outside Location", or "No Smoking’ signs.
    • Remove ash receptacles
  13. Enforce the policy from day one.
  14. Evaluate and refine policy.
  15. Be flexible and patient.

References for Smoke-Free Work Place Updated! (Microsoft Word Doc)