Totally Smokefree
We are committed to maximising the health and wellbeing of the population by having a smokefree environment and providing support to people who smoke or vape.
What we've done
Support for patients
We implemented a clinical model of care for patients who smoke or vape, with leadership from our pharmacy team.
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Support for staff
Understanding the vital link between staff health and exceptional patient care, we offer best practice support for staff who wish to quit smoking or vaping.
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Start the conversation campaign
We developed the ‘Start the Conversation’ campaign to challenge health professionals to raise the topic of smoking with their patients.
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Stop before the Op
We developed ‘Stop Before the Op’ to support our patients prior to planned admissions, recognising the strong link between smoking and surgical complications.
Find out moreCommon questions
Totally Smokefree is an Alfred Health policy which prohibits smoking and vaping in any indoor or outdoor areas on all of our sites.
Alfred Health wants all people who access Alfred Health to enjoy a safe, healthy and comfortable environment free from exposure to second-hand smoke and aerosol.
By law (Tobacco Act 1987), smoking and vaping are 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, visitors, students, volunteers, employees and residents of Alfred Health facilities, as well as contractors and subcontractors.
Vapes (or e-cigarettes) are battery- operated devices that heath a liquid to produce an aerosol that a person inhales. Vapes may contain nicotine and chemicals that have the potential to cause harm; therefore, the long-term health impact is unknown. Although they are available in the community as a tool to quit smoking, it is advisable to speak with your health professional to discuss smoking cessation options.
A patient is not permitted to use vapes on Alfred Health sites, even if the vape has been prescribed.
Vapes pose fire and safety risks due to their uncertain safety and quality standards. For this reason, we ask that all patients refrain from the use or charging of vapes while on Alfred Health sites, and preferably ask a family member or friend to take the vape home upon admission.
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, 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 vaping in Alfred Health buildings is not permitted. Smoke and aerosol from vapes 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 vaping 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.
Second-hand aerosol is the aerosol exhaled by a person using a vape.
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 vape.