Policy and guidelines

Why Smoke Free?

WA Health recognises that exposure to secondhand smoke is a proven health risk, and an occupational health and safety issue for staff, patients and the community.

The most effective way to protect staff, patients and visitors of the WA Health system from the adverse health effects of secondhand smoke is to provide a smoke free environment.

Smoke free environments:

protect and improve the health of staff, patients, visitors, contractors and volunteers
protect 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 to other employers and workforces, particularly in Government and health-related areas.

Signage resources

Smoke free signage is imperative in communicating the existence of smoke free policy as well as maintaining the message. Two messages have been developed for both the Western Australian Country Health Services (WACHS) and metropolitan health services. The use of these messages will ensure consistency and credibility across WA Health.

» Guide to production of signage

Operational directive

This directive from the Director General applies to all WA Health staff, patients, visitors, volunteers and contractors.

Smoke Free WA Health System Policy – Operational Directive OD 0414/13

Guidelines to support implementation of the Smoke Free WA Health System Policy

Guidelines for management, compliance and enforcement (PDF 74KB) provides recommendations regarding state-wide and site-specific management, compliance and enforcement strategies for the Smoke Free WA Health System Policy.
Guidelines for Smoke Free WA Health System Policy communication strategies (PDF 77KB) provides recommendations regarding state-wide and site-specific communication strategies to ensure that everyone entering Department of Health premises, grounds and vehicles understands that smoking is not allowed.
Guidelines for the provision of assistance to nicotine dependent staff (PDF 68KB) provides recommendations for the provision of appropriate assistance for nicotine dependent staff across all Department of Health facilities.
Guidelines for the management of nicotine withdrawal and cessation support in nicotine dependent patients (PDF 79KB) provides recommendations for the provision of appropriate medications to facilitate the treatment of nicotine dependent patients in Department of Health facilities.
Clinical guidelines and procedures for the management of nicotine dependent inpatients (PDF 513KB) provides guidance on how to support WA Health patients to manage their nicotine dependence while in a smoke free environment.

Involuntary mental health inpatients exemption

Involuntary mental health inpatients over the age of 18 years may be exempted from specific aspects of the Smoke Free WA Health System Policy in certain circumstances.

Guidelines for the partial exemption of involuntary mental health in-patients aged 18 years and over in certain circumstances from the application of certain aspects of the Smoke Free WA Health System Policy (PDF 223KB) | (Word 238KB)

Guidelines for use by Mental Health Services – support for the implementation of the partial exemption within the Smoke Free WA Health System Policy (PDF 412KB) | (Word 458KB)

File Formats

Some documents for download on this website are in a Portable Document Format (PDF). To read these files you might need to download Adobe® Acrobat Reader.