Though it has become mandatory for public health facilities to become smoke-free it has been difficult to implement this policy in particular in detox, drug and alcohol units and mental health units.
Particularly complex in-patients in detox units have smoking patients objecting to a smoke free environment, commonly flout regulations, become argumentative and often self-discharge.
This leaves staff in conflict with the patients and the regulations, unable to manage patients adequately according to the policy and occasionally relaxing the policy.
A protocol has been developed to better educate staff and patients in the management of nicotine addiction and incorporate nicotine addiction into their core business.
The results of the implementation of this protocol will be presented.