Why smoke free
WA Health recognises that exposure to environmental tobacco smoke or second-hand smoke has been shown to cause harm and that there is no safe level of exposure to second hand smoke. Therefore the most effective way to protect staff, patients and visitors of the WA Health system from the adverse health effects of second-hand smoke is to provide a smoke free environment.
There are a number of reasons why it is important WA Health is smoke free.
Smoke free environments:
- protect and improve the health of staff, patients, visitors, contractors and volunteers
- protect both smokers and non-smokers from the health risks associated with exposure to second hand smoke
- complement community-wide tobacco control measures that are reducing the prevalence of smoking
- set an example
Environmental tobacco smoke is an occupational health and safety issue for staff, patients and the community.
Articles about the harmful effects of smoking
- Development and introduction of a comprehensive tobacco control policy in a Canadian regional health authority (external site)
- Respiratory morbidity and lung function in two Aboriginal communities in Western Australia (external site)
- Respiratory symptoms and lung function in aborigines from tropical Western Australia (external site)