Q: Why has John Muir Health decided to become tobacco free?

A: As a leader in healthcare, John Muir Health has a special responsibility to offer a clean and healthy environment to everybody. Tobacco use in and around hospitals poses health and safety risks for patients, employees and visitors. We believe that one of the strongest statements we can make about how seriously we take our mission of promoting good health is to be tobacco-free. Making our organization tobacco-free will enhance the beautiful buildings and further promote a welcoming and healing environment.

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Q: When will the new policy take effect?

A: The tobacco-free policy is effective Monday, September 8, 2008.

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Q: Who is affected by the tobacco-free policy?

A: This policy applies to all patients, families, visitors, physicians, employees, volunteers, students, vendors and contractors.

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Q: What does it mean to have a tobacco-free campus?

A: Our tobacco-free campus means the use of cigarettes, cigars and pipes, and smokeless tobacco is not permitted while on any John Muir Health campus, grounds, facility or John Muir owned vehicle.

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Q: Does this mean that patients and visitors must quit?

A: No. We are not asking patients or visitors to quit using tobacco, but you are expected to be tobacco free while on John Muir Health property. Coping strategies to help you get through the day without using tobacco are available from your health care provider.

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Q: Will my physician still be able to write an order approving patient smoking?

A. No. John Muir Health facilities are tobacco-free. The tobacco-free policy will be strictly enforced. The staff will work with your physician to provide medication/aids to help you with coping strategies while you are in the hospital.

Q: What if I am a patient in the hospital for an unplanned reason and am a smoker. Will I be allowed to smoke?

A. No. John Muir Health is a tobacco-free organization. The hospital staff will work with your physician to provide medications and/or aids to control your urge to use tobacco while you are in the hospital.

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Q: What can patients who use tobacco expect when they are admitted to John Muir Medical Centers?

A: During the admission interview, patients who are tobacco users are identified through a screening process. A Nicotine Replacement Pre-printed order will be available for physicians to assist in management and prevention of nicotine withdrawal symptoms. A resource kit will be provided with aids to help patients adjust to the tobacco-free environment as appropriate to their admitting diagnosis.

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Q: What areas of John Muir Health are included in the tobacco-free policy?

A: The tobacco-free policy applies to all property, buildings, grounds and parking lots owned, leased or managed by John Muir Health, including the facilities below:

• John Muir Medical Center – Walnut Creek Campus
• John Muir Medical Center - Concord Campus
• John Muir Health Corporate Offices – Walnut Creek
• John Muir Outpatient Center, Tice Valley/Rossmoor
• John Muir Outpatient Center, Brentwood
• John Muir Behavioral Health Center – Concord
• MuirLab (Core Lab) – Concord
• Medical Office Building – 1455 Montego Dr., Walnut Creek
• Medical Office Building – 2700 Grant St., Concord
• John Muir Home Health Services – 2298 Pike Court, Concord

Other properties – all leased spaces and joint ownership properties will have a ban on tobacco use for John Muir Health employees and medical staff.

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Q: Do I have to leave the campus to use tobacco?

A: Yes. Once you enter a John Muir Health facility or campus, the tobacco-free policy is in effect. You will need to extinguish any cigarettes or stop the use of smokeless tobacco before entering the campus grounds. There are no longer any smoking areas on John Muir Health properties.

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Q: What happens if someone is caught using tobacco on campus?

A: All John Muir Health employees are empowered to inform visitors that tobacco products are banned while on John Muir Health property or campuses. John Muir Health will enforce the tobacco-free policy just as it would any other policy violation.

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