—
In a bold, calculated – and, yes, controversial – move, Conemaugh Health System has decided to ban tobacco use for all employees, contracted workers and volunteers during their shifts.
Conemaugh administrators need no one’s support or approval to do this, but we offer both.
We long have acknowledged the rights of smokers to light up anywhere they choose as long as it doesn’t infringe on the rights of offended non-smokers, or break any laws.
Obviously, those opportunities for smokers are quickly vanishing.
In making its decision, Conemaugh is looking out for the welfare of its patients and employees. It is also looking at its own worker productivity charts, something we suspect more and more in business and industry will be doing, sooner rather than later.
“As the leading health-care organization for a pretty big region, we need to lead by example,” longtime Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center President Steven Tucker said.
“Employees will no longer be able to smoke at any time. There will be no smoking breaks; and no smoking over lunch. It’s the entire day.”
As reported by our Randy Griffith, smoking has been prohibited on all Conemaugh property since November 2007, meaning smokers had to trek off campus to light up. Leaders began discussing “the next step” after Geisinger Health System in Danville, Montour County, announced last year that it would no longer hire smokers, a practice we are seeing expanding nationwide.
“It heightened awareness, communitywide,” Tucker said.
To Conemaugh’s credit, it isn’t leaving its staff out in the cold without support. It will bolster its offerings of smoking-cessation programs in advance of the policy change, effective Jan. 1.
We encourage workers and volunteers to take advantage of the help, which includes education, group support and nicotine-replacement options.
A problem for non-smoking workplaces is that many smokers leave their stations and assignments several times – for several minutes – during shifts to light up. Non-smokers understandably see this as unfair as they remain on the job.
For Conemaugh, it also became a case of sick or queasy patients complaining about caregivers returning to the job reeking of cigarette smoke.
Visitors, too, complain of maneuvering through smoke haze while entering and leaving medical facilities.
The total ban, Tucker said, also was inspired in part by the United Way of Laurel Highlands Community Needs Assessment. The study, he said, showed tobacco use in this region ranks above the national average.
Obviously, our health-care providers have a long and hard task ahead.
We applaud Conemaugh Health System for leading the way, and we urge other employers to heed their message.
Click here to subscribe to The Tribune-Democrat print edition.
Click here to subscribe to The Tribune-Democrat e-edition.
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Aerials Show Path of Oklahoma Destruction
Raw: Widespread Destruction in Moore, Okla.
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
Raw: Japan's WWII Atrocities Under Fire in Seoul
Voters Could Elect LA's First Female Mayor
Raw: Rescuers Pull Tornado Survivors to Safety
Oklahoma Gov: 'Hearts Are Broken' After Tornado
Raw: Walking in a Flattened Okla. Neighborhood
Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School
Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma
Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead
White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media
Wave of Attacks Kills Scores in Iraq
Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival
Company Promises to Make All Snail Mail Digital
Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings
