Smoke free policies in health care settings have not been well regulated even though hospitals are an obvious place where smoking should not be tolerated. Tobacco remains the largest avoidable illness and death in United States and responsible for 1 out of 5 deaths. It is still considered as an epidemic to women with the lung cancer dipping in men. The smoke has killed over 60 million people since World War II. Banning smoking outdoors in health care facilities provides a better healing environment for patients. Health care facilities need to adopt smoking-free polices in an effort to promoting and protecting public health. It is essential that important that the health care and social services agencies promote behaviors that lead to good health (Kaufman & Lewin, 1997). Tobacco use has remained the most preventable cause of illness hence the need for health care facilities environment to remain healthier and safer for both workers and patients. Tobacco smoking also impacts healthcare costs through medical illness and indirectly through lost productivity. The ban will ensure that there is reduced maintenance and cleaning costs including decreased accidents, fires, and health insurance costs. All this efforts are towards ensuring an increased life functioning and quality of life. It is unethical to support the use of a substance which is responsible for millions of death. It is even ironical to allow it in healthcare setups when it has contributed to increase in patients in the hospitals with diseases like lung cancer, heart disease, and emphysema (Bernhard, 2011).
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Ethical Issues
- Banning Smoking Has Greater Benefits
- Ethical Issues on Justice
- Supporting Banning of Outdoor Smoking in Health Care Facilities
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper argues for a complete ban on outdoor smoking in healthcare facilities. It discusses the ethical, health, and social justifications for such a policy. The goal is to promote a healthier environment for patients, staff, and visitors while underscoring the responsibility of healthcare providers to advocate for public health. Key themes include:- The health risks of secondhand smoke
- The ethical implications of allowing smoking in healthcare settings
- The economic impact of tobacco use on healthcare costs
- The importance of promoting social justice and protecting vulnerable populations
- The role of healthcare providers in advocating for tobacco control policies
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This section establishes the argument for banning outdoor smoking in healthcare facilities, highlighting the dangers of tobacco use and its significant impact on public health. It argues that healthcare facilities have a responsibility to promote health and wellbeing.
- Ethical Issues: This chapter explores the ethical considerations surrounding tobacco smoking in healthcare settings. It discusses the moral obligation of healthcare providers to protect patients and staff from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke and to promote a healthy and safe environment.
- Banning Smoking Has Greater Benefits: This section outlines the numerous benefits of banning smoking in healthcare facilities, emphasizing the positive impact on patient health and the reduction of respiratory and other health issues. It also highlights the reduction in healthcare costs associated with smoking.
- Ethical Issues on Justice: This chapter focuses on the social justice implications of tobacco use. It argues that healthcare facilities have a duty to protect vulnerable populations from the harmful effects of smoking and to promote equality and fairness in access to healthcare.
- Supporting Banning of Outdoor Smoking in Health Care Facilities: This section reinforces the need for robust policies to address tobacco use in healthcare settings. It emphasizes the responsibility of healthcare providers to advocate for tobacco control policies and to protect the health and safety of their patients and staff.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The core concepts in this work include tobacco smoking, healthcare facilities, public health, ethical considerations, secondhand smoke, social justice, healthcare costs, and tobacco control policies.- Quote paper
- Clinton Kelly (Author), 2013, Outdoor smoking in hospitals and health facilities. Should it be banned?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/271702
