Moses Lake Clinic goes tobacco-free

Organizers report smooth change

MOSES LAKE - Visitors to the Moses Lake Clinic may notice cleaner air outside the facility.

The clinic became a tobacco-free campus June 1.

"We want to send a message to our patients that we care about them, and one of the ways we care about them is protecting the environment that they have to be exposed to here at the clinic," said Dr. David Curnel, who served on a committee to implement the change.

Signs were installed informing visitors of the clinics' status as a tobacco-free campus.

The clinic follows state law prohibiting smoking inside the facility, as well as 25 feet from doorways, air intakes and windows, noted Committee Chair Deb Miller.

Signs were posted at the entrances to the clinic, at a location where smokers frequented, and vinyl stickers were placed at doorways and windows entering the building, Miller said.

Curnel said some patients entering the clinic with chronic lung disease passed employees sitting on a bench behind the clinic smoking. He said it did not send a positive message.

Rather than being punitive, the change is intended to be pro-health, he said.

"Mostly, this is a health issue. This is creating a healthier environment for everyone," Miller said.

Miller said the change has been smooth. All who are approached smoking on campus have been understanding, she said.

"It has not appeared to have adversely affected smoking employees' workday," she added.

Curnel said he approached four or five people so far as they were smoking on campus, and they responded politely. They either didn't know the campus was tobacco-free, or they did not see the sign, Curnel said.

Curnel also agreed employees have been understanding of the change.

"They understand what we represent as a health care facility," he said.

Employees had an opportunity to provide anonymous feedback about the change before it took place, Miller said.

Results included 30 positive responses, six neutral responses and nine negative responses, she said.

Those against the change argued it would take away an individual's personal rights, and nobody wanted to act as the "smoking police," Miller said.

Positive comments all centered around health, she said.

"This is a health care facility," Miller said, reading an employee's survey response. "How can we as a facility say we care about people's health if we allow smoking?"

Miller said the policy is not intended to single out any group.

"If we stop and think about it, statistics say that tobacco-free policies help promote smoking cessation," she said.