Totally Smokefree

Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, are battery operated devices that heat a liquid to produce an aerosol that a person inhales.  Using an e-cigarette is commonly referred to as ‘vaping’. E-cigarettes may or may not contain nicotine.

Totally Smokefree is an Alfred Health policy which prohibits smoking and vaping in any indoor or outdoor areas on all of our sites. 

From October 2021, nicotine e-cigarettes will require a prescription. However, Totally Smokefree applies to both nicotine and non-nicotine e-cigarettes. 

Alfred Health wants all people who access Alfred Health to enjoy a safe, healthy and comfortable environment free from exposure to secondhand smoke and secondhand aerosol.

By law (Tobacco Act 1987), smoking and e-cigarette use is banned within four meters of a building entrance to a public hospital. Alfred Health’s Totally Smokefree policy prohibits smoking and vaping on all our sites.
 

Totally Smokefree applies to all people who access Alfred Health sites. This includes patients, residents, visitors, students, volunteers and employees.  

Signage and other communication strategies aim to ensure all people are aware of Totally Smokefree at Alfred Health.

A patient is not permitted to use e-cigarettes on Alfred Health sites, even if the e-cigarette has been prescribed.

E-cigarettes have significant fire and safety risks as they may be unregulated products with no safety and quality standards. For these reasons, the use or charging of e-cigarettes while on Alfred Health sites is not permitted. If a patient brings their e-cigarette into hospital, they will be asked to send their e-cigarette home.

Alfred Health is committed to supporting patients who smoke or vape. When a patient is admitted, the pharmacist or health professional will offer support. Support may include information and advice, and nicotine replacement therapies (such as gum, lozenges, inhalator, mouth spray or patches) if appropriate. 

The patient can decide whether to accept the support offered.

Patients are encouraged to speak with their health professionals if they are having trouble with adapting to a smokefree environment.

Smoking and the use of e-cigarettes in Alfred Health buildings is not permitted. Smoke and aerosol from e-cigarettes will trigger fire alarms and result in the fire brigade attending at significant cost to the health service.

Any individual seen to be smoking or using an e-cigarette on Alfred Health sites may be approached by a security officer or other employee and reminded that Alfred Health is Totally Smokefree.

Local council inspectors, authorized under the Tobacco Act 1987, may patrol hospital entrances to enforce the ban and issue infringement penalties as appropriate.

Secondhand aerosol is the aerosol exhaled by a person using an e-cigarette. 

This aerosol is known to contain chemicals that may be harmful, even toxic, and may be inhaled by another person. There is no safe level and the long-term effects being exposed to these aerosols are still being investigated.

No. Alfred Health respects that people may exercise a personal choice to smoke or use e-cigarettes.