Dear Editor
I am writing in regards to the new tobacco and smoke free property policy the Prairie North Health Region recently implemented. I don't smoke, but I find myself siding with the big bad smokers.
I work at a long term care facility in the Battlefords. Instead of the smokers having a place at the back or hidden from the public, now it's out there in our face, across the street or down the road. Now I'm sure we will see at lot more butts on our streets too.
"Shove in your face" rules never work. Now smokers have to hide, sneak around and maybe cause fires.
Last I heard smoking is an addiction and should be treated as such, with respect. Non-smokers have no idea how hard it is to quit. I've heard it is as hard as quitting heroin. Its not only support staff this policy affects, it's doctors, nurses and other personnel in high stress situations.
These people are looking after your loved ones and are still supposed to be compassionate and nice. This policy creates a situation where all they're thinking about is where are they are going to smoke next break. Why don't they talk to the smokers and get their opinion's on how to address this.
Julia Andres
Richard
