St. Joe's is 100% Smoke-Free
New provincial law on where you can’t smoke
In accordance with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act and the Cannabis Act, all hospitals in Ontario must be completely smoke-free.
Smoking is prohibited on all Campuses and hospital-owned properties including gardens, parking lots, in parked cars on our sites. This prohibits the smoking/use of tobacco, electronic cigarettes and cannabis (medical and non-medical) on hospital property (indoor and outdoor grounds). For more information, see the St. Joe's Smoke-Free Policy (022-ADM).
This policy applies to all persons on hospital property including staff, physicians, learners, volunteers, contractors, patients, and visitors. This also includes St. Joe’s off-site programs and services throughout the province. See below to download a Campus specific brochure:
St. Joe’s is recreational cannabis-free on all sites. The utilization of any type of recreational cannabis product is not permitted inside or on the grounds of any of our hospital sites. If you have any questions about cannabis use or any concerns about discontinuing cannabis use, please speak to your care team.
What if I have a prescription for medicinal cannabis and am a patient at St. Joseph’s?
If you have a prescription for medical marijuana, be sure to let your care team know prior to any procedures.
Am I allowed to carry recreational cannabis on hospital grounds?
No, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton is a recreational cannabis free facility. We ask that patients, family members, staff, physicians, learners, volunteers, and visitors do not carry recreational cannabis while they are in or on the grounds of any hospital site or program.
Help us maintain a smoke-free environment
- Wait until you are completely off hospital property before smoking (this includes the use of e-cigarettes and recreational cannabis).
- Extinguish your cigarette before re-entering our property and dispose of cigarette butts in the receptacles provided.
- If you are thinking of quitting, consider contacting one of the following resources:
o Patients at St. Joe’s who are thinking about quitting smoking should ask their healthcare team for resources to help them or by directly contacting,
- City of Hamilton’s Quit Smoking Clinic: 905-546-2424 ext. 3788
- Smokers’ Helpline: 1-877-513-5333 | SmokersHelpLine.ca
o There are also a number of different resources and programs available to staff, physicians, learners, volunteers, and contractors to go 100% smoke-free by contacting:
- Tobacco Program Coordinator, Ext. 33492
- Employee Wellness Program, Ext. 37689 | wellness@stjoes.ca or visit the hospital intranet MyStJoes > Employee Wellness page (here)
St. Joe’s 100% Smoke-Free enforcement strategy
To ensure we are providing an inviting, hazard-free environment for those who work, visit and receive care at our Campuses and to comply with the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, we are implementing a new smoke-free enforcement strategy.
Reporting
If anyone is found smoking on St. Joe’s property, Campus Security Professionals will issue a Witness Report to you and a copy will be submitted to the City of Hamilton Enforcement Officers. Individuals smoking on hospital property could also be approached directly by a City of Hamilton Enforcement Officer.
Fines
Witness Reports will be provided to City of Hamilton Enforcement Officers who will issue a fine. An individual found to be smoking on hospital property in Ontario can face a maximum fine of $1,000. If a hospital in Ontario fails to fulfill its responsibility under the law, the hospital could face a maximum fine of $100,000 for a first offense, or $300,000 for any further offense.
Thank you for your support as we strive to provide a healthy, smoke-free hospital environment to ensure that those who work, visit and receive care are not exposed to the health risks associated with second-hand smoke.