The Discouragement of Smoking in a Hospital Setting

Attitudes toward smoking among hospital patients and employees, smoking rates in specified areas, and the sales of tobacco products were assessed prior to a hospitalwide smoking discouragement program. Discouragement efforts consisted of the distribution of antismoking posters, educational materials, and displays, and placement of signs on the hazards of smoking at all hospital entrances and at the points of sale of cigarettes in the hospital canteen. Results show some significant decreases in the sale of tobacco products, changes in attitudes to become more critical of smoking, and changes in the smoking rate in the canteen eating area and main lobby.