Smoke-free hospital grounds

Abstract

This study investigated whether the implementation of a multicomponent intervention project could improve compliance with the New South Wales (NSW) Health smoke-free healthcare policy. Environmental interventions were implemented on the hospital grounds for a 12-week period. Compliance was measured by a pre- and postintervention observational count of smokers on the hospital grounds. After implementation, there was a significant 73% reduction in people smoking on the hospital grounds, indicating improved compliance with the NSW smoke-free healthcare policy through the use of a non-punitive multicomponent intervention. What is known about the topic?Lack of compliance with the NSW Health smoke-free healthcare policy was reflected by the large numbers of smokers outside the front of an inner-city hospital in Sydney, Australia. This issue had been raised by staff, patients and visitors as an ongoing problem requiring a solution. What does this paper add?Designing and implementing a non-punitive multicomponent intervention using modelling, operant and associative learning principles can successfully increase compliance with policies designed to stop smoking on hospital grounds. What are the implications for practitioners?Implementing non-punitive multicomponent interventions to improve compliance with the NSW Health smoke-free healthcare policy may increase patients’ acceptance of smoking cessation support when offered. Healthcare staff need to be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to offer this support.