The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) will implement a new policy restricting smoking at its healthcare facilities by October 2019, according to an article on the Veterans Affairs website.
The ban extends to patients, visitors, volunteers, contractors and vendors.
A recent VA survey revealed that approximately 85 percent of responding facility leadership support smoke-free campuses.
“We are not alone in recognizing the importance of creating a smoke-free campus,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “As of 2014, 4,000 health care facilities and four national health care systems in the U.S. have implemented smoke-free grounds. This policy change coincides with additional VHA efforts to help us become the provider of choice for Veterans and the reason why Veterans will ChooseVA.”
The new smoke-free policy applies to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, any other combustion of tobacco and non-Federal Drug Administration approved electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), including but not limited to electronic or e-cigarettes, vape pens or e-cigars.
Cathryn Jakicic is healthcare industries editor of FacilitiesNet.com. For more information on hospital campuses and other medical facilities, visit Healthcare Facilities Today.
