Document Number Page

HOSPITAL POLICY AND

PROCEDURE SMMCI- NSD- 001 4

SMMCI Anti-Smoking Policy Effectivity Date: Ocotber 29, 2023

100% Smoke and Tobacco-Free Hospital Policy

The WHO issued the guidelines on Article 8 of the FCTC on the protection
from exposure to tobacco smoke and these are adopted by the Conference of
the Parties to the WHO FCTC in 2007, Principle One of the guidelines
state:
“Effective measures to provide protection from exposure to tobacco
smoke, as envisions by Article 8 of the WHO Framework Convention,
require the total elimination of smoking and tobacco smoke in a
particular space or environment in order to create a 100% smoke-
free environment. There is no safe level of exposure to tobacco
smoke, and notions such as a threshold value for toxicity from
second-hand smoke should be rejected, as they are contradicted by
scientific evidence. Approaches other than 100% smoke free
environments, including ventilation, air filtration and the use of
designated smoking areas (whether with separate ventilation
systems or not), have repeatedly been shown to be ineffective and
there is conclusive evidence, scientific and otherwise, that
engineering approaches do not protect against exposure to tobacco
smoke.”

POLICY STATEMENT

1. St. Matthias Medical Center Inc of Isabela is dedicated to providing

its patients, visitors, staff, volunteers and providers with a safe and
healthy environment.

2. St. Matthias Medical Center Inc. Of Isabela is a 100% smoke and

tobacco-free campus, effective November 16, 2023. Whereas, SMMCI
recognizes the US Surgeon General findings that tobacco use in any form,
active and passive, is a significant health hazard. SMMCI further supports

Prepared by: Reviewed by: Reviewed by: Approved by:

Zoraida T. Garcia RN, MSN
Position:
Chief Nursing Officer
Office/ Department:
Dr.Mary Ann F. Valdez Dr. Joseph Roy P. Bielgo Dr. Noel N. Fermindoza
Position: Position: Position:
Medical Director BOD President BOD Chairman
Office / Department Office/ Department: Office/ Department:

Revision Status:
Revision History:
Date of Revision:
 Document Number Page
HOSPITAL POLICY AND
PROCEDURE SMMCI- NSD- 001 4

SMMCI Anti-Smoking Policy Effectivity Date: Ocotber 29, 2023

the findings of the American Hospital Association that recommends that

hospitals “serve as a role model of health for the community.”SMMCI
recognizes that smoking and the use of tobacco products on campus grounds
is detrimental to the health and safety of everyone.

3. This institution supports an environment where patients, visitors,

staff, providers and vendors are not exposed to the harmful effects of
secondhand smoke and are supported in efforts to live tobacco-free. This
policy prohibits all smoking and the use of all tobacco: - In all SMMCI
owned, leased, satellite, and affiliated buildings where any [Hospital]
employees work. - On all [Hospital] owned or leased grounds. - At all
SMMCI sponsored events– both indoor and outdoor. - In all SMMCI owned,
leased or rented vehicles, on or off SMMCI grounds. - In all personal
vehicles parked on SMMCI owned, leased and affiliated property. - At all
events hosted or organized by SMMCI. The smoke and tobacco-free campus
policy applies to all patients, visitors, volunteers, employees,
providers, vendors, contractors including organizers of, and attendees at,
public events, including but not limited to, conferences, meetings,
lectures, social events and/or cultural events using SMMCI owned, leased
and affiliated property are required to abide by SMMCI’s smoke and
tobacco-free policy. In addition to prohibiting smoking and tobacco use
and to best support smoke and tobacco-free lifestyles.

4. SMMCI: - Will not sell or distribute tobacco products and

paraphernalia. - Does not support advertising and promotion of tobacco
products in publications. - Will not accept donations from the tobacco
industry, including divests itself of tobacco company stock.

2. To promote a 100% Smoke-Free Environment in all areas, inside and out

of SMMCI premises, adopted from the Department Of Health, SMMCI
implements the following strategies and approaches:
a. The prohibition of tobacco use in all premises of SMMCI,
including, but not limited to: offices, grounds, motor pool areas,
canteen/cafeteria/food preparation areas, dormitories, quarters.

Prepared by: Reviewed by: Reviewed by: Approved by:

Zoraida T. Garcia RN, MSN
Position:
Chief Nursing Officer
Office/ Department:
Dr.Mary Ann F. Valdez Dr. Joseph Roy P. Bielgo Dr. Noel N. Fermindoza
Position: Position: Position:
Medical Director BOD President BOD Chairman
Office / Department Office/ Department: Office/ Department:

Revision Status:
Revision History:
Date of Revision:
 Document Number Page
HOSPITAL POLICY AND
PROCEDURE SMMCI- NSD- 001 4

SMMCI Anti-Smoking Policy Effectivity Date: Ocotber 29, 2023

b. The ban on sale of tobacco products within one hundred (100)

meters from any point of the perimeter of SMMCI premises.

c. Display of tarpaulins, posters and other relevant information

materials on the ill effects of smoking (e.g. Smoker’s Body and
Picture-Based or Graphic Health Warnings) in strategic places of
buildings, compounds and premises.

d. The conduct of training, meetings, workshops and any health

human resource development activity only in smoke-free
establishments.

e. All things being equal, the preferential recruitment and

selection of non-smoking individuals to employment positions over
those who smoke but possess the same qualifications for the
position.

f. Provision of information and/or assistance on where to go and

what to do if the employees would want to quit smoking.

g. Disciplinary action shall be imposed on smoking personnel who

fail to uphold the policy. Smokers will be required to attend
sessions on smoking cessation until a desired behavior is
achieved.

h. Placing stiffer penalties like an administrative case for not

following office rules pursuant to Civil Service Rules and
Regulations.

i. The above guidelines should be made integral part of any

policies and programs related to implementing and advocating
healthy workplaces.

Prepared by: Reviewed by: Reviewed by: Approved by:

Zoraida T. Garcia RN, MSN
Position:
Chief Nursing Officer
Office/ Department:
Dr.Mary Ann F. Valdez Dr. Joseph Roy P. Bielgo Dr. Noel N. Fermindoza
Position: Position: Position:
Medical Director BOD President BOD Chairman
Office / Department Office/ Department: Office/ Department:

Revision Status:
Revision History:
Date of Revision:
 Document Number Page
HOSPITAL POLICY AND
PROCEDURE SMMCI- NSD- 001 4

SMMCI Anti-Smoking Policy Effectivity Date: Ocotber 29, 2023

DEFINITIONS

A. “Smoking” means inhaling, exhaling, burning or carrying any lighted or

heated cigar, cigarette, pipe or joint, or any other lighted or heated
tobacco or plant product intended for inhalation, including hookahs and
marijuana, whether natural or synthetic in any manner or in any form.
“Smoking” also includes the use of an electronic nicotine delivery systems
or e-cigarettes which creates an aerosol or vapor, in any manner or in any
form, or the use of any oral smoking device for the purpose of
circumventing the prohibition of smoking in this policy. Non-smoked
marijuana products including, but not limited to, edibles and dabs are
also included in this policy.

B. “Tobacco” is defined as all tobacco-derived or containing products,

including but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, little cigars,
cigarillos, bidis, kreteks; all smokeless and dissolvable tobacco
products, including but not limited to, dip, spit/spit-less, chew, snuff,
snus and nasal tobacco; and any product intended to mimic tobacco,
containing tobacco flavoring or delivering nicotine, including but not
limited to, electronic nicotine delivery systems, e-cigarettes, e-cigars,
ehookahs, vape pen or any other product name or descriptor. Or the use of
any other type of tobacco or nicotine product for the purpose of
circumventing the prohibition of tobacco in this 100% Smoke and Tobacco-
Free Hospital Template Policy policy. This does not include products
specifically approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the
purpose of cessation or nicotine replacement therapy.

PROCEDURES:

This policy will be communicated through tobacco-free signs posted at all

property entrances and throughout the facility, through employee and
patient education, including being written into training manuals and new
employee orientation. Everyone is required to comply with SMMCI tobacco-
free policy.

Prepared by: Reviewed by: Reviewed by: Approved by:

Zoraida T. Garcia RN, MSN
Position:
Chief Nursing Officer
Office/ Department:
Dr.Mary Ann F. Valdez Dr. Joseph Roy P. Bielgo Dr. Noel N. Fermindoza
Position: Position: Position:
Medical Director BOD President BOD Chairman
Office / Department Office/ Department: Office/ Department:

Revision Status:
Revision History:
Date of Revision:
 Document Number Page
HOSPITAL POLICY AND
PROCEDURE SMMCI- NSD- 001 4

SMMCI Anti-Smoking Policy Effectivity Date: Ocotber 29, 2023

Enforcement of this policy will follow the standard procedures of the

facility for staff, patients and visitors. Information regarding tobacco
treatment resources, such as onsite counseling a will be made available
for tobacco users who are interested in quitting. All SMMCI employees are
required to observe and promote compliance with the smoke and tobacco-free
policy. Employees are expected to be good neighbors and refrain from using
tobacco products on the property of nearby businesses and residences.

Prepared by: Reviewed by: Reviewed by: Approved by:

Zoraida T. Garcia RN, MSN
Position:
Chief Nursing Officer
Office/ Department:
Dr.Mary Ann F. Valdez Dr. Joseph Roy P. Bielgo Dr. Noel N. Fermindoza
Position: Position: Position:
Medical Director BOD President BOD Chairman
Office / Department Office/ Department: Office/ Department:

Revision Status:
Revision History:
Date of Revision: