Dear Editor:
Over the past couple weeks my 11year-old son, Oscar, had been hospitalized for several days and now is returning to Royal Columbian Hospital nightly for IV antibiotics for treatment of an acute sinus infection.
Without fail, each and every time I/we have entered and exited the main entrance, there have been several smokers loitering near the large yellow "No Smoking" signs, and the ground in front of the entrance and around all sides of the hospital emergency is littered with a shockingly large volume of cigarette butts. The area just inside and around the main door is prolific with and reeks of cigarettes; we are forced to breathe it as we enter the hospital. There are also employees of the hospital and ambulance attendants smoking on the other side of emergency adjacent to Columbia Street and a large collection of cigarette butts littered there as well. My son has an acute sinus infection, and this contact with secondhand smoke is very detrimental to him. I am also very sensitive to contact with secondhand smoke; sadly, our only solution at present is to to try to hold our breath as we pass the smokers.
Early on during our time at the hospital I inquired at the admitting department about the smoking in the prohibited areas, and the young lady there informed me that the policy is not enforced or enforceable. I was and am shocked and horrified with the general unconcern. I have to say, it is a ridiculous and bizarre scene at the front doors and all around the emergency area of RCH - with the many large yellow "No Smoking" signs with the smokers madly puffing away in front of them and the ground heavily littered with stinking butts and ashes.
I'm very discouraged and and disheartened with the toxic environment of the hospital as a result of the unenforced nosmoking policy. This is supposed to be a hospital, a place that supports and protects people's health, not ignores it and blatantly harms it! Something must be done.
I fail to comprehend why RCH is ignoring their duty to protect us from the harm of secondhand smoke and promote the good health of the community it serves. Why are there are so many signs but then a failure to enforce the no-smoking policy? Why aren't the smokers given and directed to a specific area to carry out their addiction that removes them from causing harm to the general public and marring the atmosphere, reputation and clean and healthy environment of RCH?
Kirsten Johnston, by email
