Intent on promoting healthy lifestyle choices to employees and customers alike, several public and private industry sectors are pursuing voluntary policies that extend indoor smoking bans to outdoor workplace areas. Not surprisingly, the healthcare sector is leading this charge.

Smoke-Free Healthcare Campus Policies in San Diego County

  • Alvarado Hospital
  • Kaiser Permanente
  • Palomar-Pomerado Health
  • Rady Children’s Hospital
  • Scripps Health
  • Sharp Healthcare
  • UCSD Medical Center
  • Tri-City Medical Center

Many other sectors within the healthcare community are investing in smoke-free policies. In San Diego skilled nursing facilities (for seniors) and residential care facilities (substance abuse and mental providers) are adopting smoke-free policies too.

Tobacco & Behavioral Health

Over the past several years, the public health community has been working to change the philosophy around smoking in the behavioral health community. Smoking rates among this population, which includes individuals with psychiatric disorders and substance abuse disorders, are two to four times higher than that of the general population.  Healthcare professional and public health advocates in San Diego County are working to address this population with efforts that include development of policy, prevention strategies and access to cessation resources.

Smoke-Free Behavioral Health Facilities in San Diego County

  • Edgemoor Hospital
  • Palomar-Pomerado Health
  • Scripps Mercy Hospital, Behavioral Health Inpatient Services
  • San Diego County Psychiatric Hospital

Resources

Technical Report on Morbidity and Mortality in People with Serious Mental Illness 2006

Smoking Cessation During Substance Abuse Treatment, Psychiatric Times 2009

Smoking Cessation Leadership Center

Social Advocates for Youth (SAY) San Diego is working with behavioral health providers to create smoke-free policies in San Diego County. Contact them at (858) 974-3603 x 207.

Catholic Charities is advocating for the adoption of voluntary smoke-free policies at health care and assisted living facilities throughout San Diego County. For more information, please call (619) 287-9454, ext.2191

Quit Smoking Resources

Smoking Cessation for Persons with Mental Illness

Tobacco Cessation For Persons With Mental Illness Or Substance Use Disorders