CAMH is going smoke-free!

At CAMH we are committed to providing a safe, healthy and healing environment for our clients, staff and visitors, and we are pleased to announce that effective September 21, 2005 CAMH will become a smoke-free facility. We have developed a smoke-free policy, as we want to ensure the health and safety of our clients, our staff and visitors to our sites. We know from research that many detrimental health consequences are associated with second-hand smoke and that designated smoking rooms do not protect our clients, our staff, or visitors from these effects.

Going smoke-free means that all buildings located on CAMH property will be completely smoke-free including all of the designated smoking rooms on the inpatient units at our College Street and Queen Street sites. There will be designated areas on the grounds where clients, staff and visitors will still be able to smoke. 

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that those who work, visit or receive services at CAMH are not subjected to second-hand smoke while at our facility. This is not about having our clients, staff and visitors of CAMH quit smoking. It is about making CAMH a safe and healthy environment for those groups. However, there are supports in place for those individuals who do chose to quit or reduce their smoking. 
 
The smoke-free policy applies to everyone working, volunteering, visiting and using services at CAMH. This includes all CAMH worksites. Signage has been posted in all smoke-free areas to help visitors, staff and clients determine where they can and cannot smoke.

Smoking is not allowed:

• Within CAMH buildings and designated areas such as the garage at the Russell Street site, and the smoking rooms in inpatient units at the College Street and Queen Street sites.
• Within CAMH vehicles (owned or leased).
• Within a nine-metre radius of any CAMH entrance or air intake area.
• At designated smoke-free entrances at each of the four main sites of CAMH.
• Within all CAMH courtyards such as Russell Street. There is an exception for the secured yards associated with Unit 3 at the Queen Street site.

We know this new smoke-free policy will be a big change for a lot of people, and support is an important part of this policy. We are training staff to help clients who smoke and may not be able to get outside to smoke as often as they like or may be experiencing nicotine withdrawal.

Individuals interested in resources that can help them to quit smoking or reduce their tobacco use, can call CAMH's Nicotine Dependence Clinic, which can be reached at 416 535-8501. The clinic has locations at three sites, to set up an assessment appointment or for more information please call the clinic at one of these sites:

• Russell Street/College Street ext. 6662
• Brentcliffe Road ext. 7057
• Queen Street ext. 1155

We thank you for your support as we implement this policy.

 

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