Hospital Announces Full Ban on Smoking
Starting from September, the East Tallinn Central Hospital will ban the use of tobacco products on its grounds and become a smoke-free institution. The new rules apply to patients and tenants as well as hospital staff.
According to the head of the hospital's Work Environment Service, Sally Maripuu, banning smoking on the hospital's territory is meant to send a strategic message that the hospital cares about the health of its patients and staff and wishes to set an example to its visitors.
"As an institution that promotes health, we also provide support and motivation to people," said Maripuu. The hospital offers counselling to help people quit smoking. Currently, the hospital employs three smoking cessation counsellors. With a referral from a GP or a doctor in the East Tallinn Central Hospital, the counselling is free.
By implementing the new rule, the East Tallinn Central Hospital will join several other health institutions in Estonia that have restricted the use of tobacco products on their grounds in order to promote healthy living.
Sigrid Maasen