No smoking on hospital grounds
Hospital staff moves outside of Cramer and Stafford halls to smoke.
Published Oct. 10, 2006
Behind Stafford Hall, a line of MU Hospital employees sit perched like a row of birds on a telephone wire.
In the courtyard between Cramer and Stafford halls, an influx of hospital employees smoking cigarettes has begun in response to a hospital smoking policy enacted on Sept. 1. The policy prohibits tobacco products on all grounds owned or leased by the hospital. Employees, patients and visitors must now seek refuge off the grounds, and the closest place to smoke is on campus.
The Missouri Hospital Association began discussions regarding the policy a couple of years back, UM Wellness Program manager Laura Schopp said. "The statewide policy is not meant to hurt smokers, but to provide a cleaner environment to patients," Schopp said.
Before the policy began, students of residence halls neighboring the hospital grounds enjoyed a couple of weeks of a courtyard free from intrusion. But after the employees began to filter in, the result was a mixed student reaction.
"It's irritating that the table is taken up all the time," freshman Ian Beiersdorf said. "But I can't get mad at the nurses because they're just reacting to the policy."
Freshman Bobby King hasn't experienced any problems with the employees.
"They need somewhere to smoke, and I understand being a smoker myself," he said.
King said the employees do not impose on the students if some are already out there, but if there isn't anyone around he has no problem with employees taking up room.
There hasn't been any conflict between students and hospital employees, but the unrest with the policy lies between employees and the policy's enforcers.
Even though employees commented for this story, they refused to disclose their names for fear of retribution from their employers.
Employees say they understand the policy, but many said it is inconvenient to have to go off the hospital grounds to smoke. Even worse, one employee said it is harder for patients and visitors because they are not always informed about the designated smoking areas on campus, such as the courtyard near Stafford and Cramer halls. Employees are expected to inform patients and visitors about the policy upon arrival, but information about alternative smoking areas is not always conveyed, one employee said.
Employees face the most restrictions under the new policy. First, the policy states employees are not allowed to use tobacco products during working hours or paid breaks whether they are on or off University of Missouri Health Care facilities.
Second, employees who smoke during non-working hours are expected to respect the neighboring residents and not to loiter or discard tobacco products in a way that would negatively affect the organization.
Finally, employees must remain free of odor of tobacco products during working hours. If an employee is found to be in violation of the policy, he or she will be subject to UMHC progressive disciplinary process.
King has spoken with many of the employees and said they're all upset about the new policy.
"(The employees) said they should be able to have a cigarette break while in a stressful environment such as work," King said. "They think it's an infringement on their rights if they can't smoke on lunch or paid breaks."
The employees' main concern with the policy is that from the time they clock in until the time they clock out, they are not allowed to smoke.
One employee even brought out a rusty old bedpan to collect cigarette butts.
Freshman Bob Specking said the courtyard is like his backyard and that he has to clean it every once in a while.
"The pot for butts definitely helps clean things up," Specking said.
Students noticed an abundance of butts lying around the courtyard after the policy was first enacted, but since then it has been clean.
The hospital has tried to help its employees quit smoking through "Freedom From Smoking" classes to help reduce nicotine cravings. Nicotine replacement therapy was also available to employees at no cost for the first month of the policy. After the first month, nicotine replacements will be sold to employees who want them.
Another incentive the hospital has offered to employees to stop smoking is a monthly prize drawing for employees who have been tobacco-free for a month.