We are committed to providing a healthy, safe and comfortable environment for all employees, patients and visitors. Smoking and second-hand smoke are the leading causes of preventable death (Giovino, 2007) and there is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke, even when that exposure occurs outdoors. To maintain a safe environment, tobacco, cannabis, and the use of electronic cigarettes (vaping) are not permitted on Waypoint property.
Home Patients & Families For Patients Patient Experience Smoking Cessation
Waypoint is a Smoke-free/Vape-free Environment.
What this means for our patients:
For the comfort of Waypoint patients who smoke or vape and are unable do so while in hospital, the health care team will offer smoking cessation support, in accordance with the Ottawa Model for Smoking Cessation. This includes providing comfort measures with Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and smoking/vaping cessation information and support during their hospital stay. Our health care team is dedicated and well trained to provide the best evidence-based care for our patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Smoking is prohibited on all campus and hospital grounds including gardens, parking lots, and in parked cars. This prohibits the smoking/use of tobacco, electronic cigarettes (vaping) and cannabis (medical and non-medical) on hospital property (indoor and outdoor grounds).
No, patients are not permitted to leave hospital property to smoke and or vape. If you would like to leave hospital property for any reason, you must speak to your health care team.
Failure to comply with the Smoke Free Ontario Act by any person located on Waypoint properties may be subject to fines as issued by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit’s Tobacco Enforcement Officer, as outlined in the Act. The Smoke Free Ontario Act prohibits smoking and vaping in any area within 9 meters of any entrance or exit.
The smoke‐free policy does not ask staff, patients, students, or visitors to quit smoking, but it does prohibit smoking on Waypoint property. To support and ensure patients are as comfortable as possible, Waypoint staff can offer Nicotine Replacement Therapy and supportive interventions to manage discomfort.
Waypoint’s health care team will offer smoking cessation support, in accordance with the Ottawa Model for Smoking Cessation. This includes providing comfort measures with Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and smoking/vaping cessation information and support during your hospital stay.
Nurses and Addiction Councilors can help you make a personalized quit plan, help you manage cravings, withdrawal symptoms and stress, provide education including information about quit aids, and help you find local support in your community and receive optional follow-up calls throughout your quitting journey.
At discharge you will be given the opportunity to enroll in the Quit Smoking Follow-Up Program, and on specific days you will get a short call or email that will ask you basic questions about how you are doing in your quit journey. If you need help, a nicotine addiction treatment specialist will call you back. You will also be provided with a list of resources with in your community.
All patients, visitors, staff, physicians, and volunteers who wish to smoke must leave the property to do so.
Visitors who wish to smoke must leave the hospital grounds. We encourage visitors to discuss Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) options with their physician if they plan to be on hospital property for extended periods of time. Visitors will also be encouraged to access the Smoker’s Helpline, which is available free of charge at 1-877-513-5333 or by visiting www.smokershelpline.ca.
AND/OR What if I am First Nations, Métis, or Urban Indigenous and need tobacco for traditional ceremonies and or prayer?
As outlined in the Smoke‐Free Ontario Act, the smoke free policy acknowledges the traditional use of tobacco that forms part of Indigenous culture and spirituality. Please contact a member of the Spiritual Care Team to assist you with your needs.
The sale of cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, tobacco and tobacco products and related equipment at Waypoint are prohibited.