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Smoking Policy

Creating a smoke-free environment

The Smoking Policy at the Montreal Heart Institute (MHI) has several goals. First, in keeping with the Institute's mission, the policy aims to promote the MHI's leading role in the fight against smoking. Other goals include providing an environment that is free of second-hand smoke and helping and support both patients and staff in their attempts to quit smoking. Finally, out of a concern for public safety, the prevention of fire or explosions is also a goal of this policy.

Applying the law

  • Smoking is prohibited at the MHI, including in the areas indicated outside the main entrance, the staff entrance, and the entrances to the Research Centre and the Test Centre. 
  • Staff and doctors are allowed to smoke outside on the MHI's grounds but only in the area set aside for this purpose (at the E-1600 exit at the entrance of the walkway to the Marie Enfant Rehabilitation Centre). 
  • All MHI managers must ensure that everyone refrains from smoking in the sectors under their responsibility. If someone is found smoking in an unauthorized area, the manager must ask the person to stop. If a staff member or doctor systematically refuses to follow these rules, appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken. For all other individuals, the manager may call a security guard, who will take the appropriate measures. 
  • The Security Department ensures that all employees, doctors, clients, families and visitors refrain from smoking in public areas both inside and outside the MHI. If a staff member or doctor systematically refuses to follow these rules, appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken. For all other individuals, appropriate measures will also be taken. 
  • Any staff member or doctor who witnesses someone violating this policy must ask the person to follow the rules in place. If this request is ignored, the department manager or a security guard may be called to the area and the appropriate measures will be taken. 
  • These measures are above all meant to encourage the person to adhere to the non-smoking policy and are dictated by fairness and common sense. If necessary, more stringent measures will be communicated and implemented in the case of a failure to comply with this policy. 
  • A quit-smoking program has been created for patients hospitalized at the MHI and is reviewed periodically. 
  • A program to help MHI staff members quit smoking is also in place and reviewed periodically.