Some people who smoke may prefer to refrain from smoking while visiting our sites. If you are one of them, we encourage you to take advantage of the many resources that exist for people who wish to reduce or quit smoking. (Exemptions could include the ceremonial use of tobacco.)
Please read the PHSA Smoke-Free Policy. If you have questions about the policy, please e-mail us at smokefree@phsa.ca.
As health care providers, it is essential that BC Children’s, Sunny Hill, and BC Women’s take a leading role in protecting anyone who comes to our sites from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke. Tobacco-related illnesses are the leading cause of preventable death in B.C., resulting in about 6,000 deaths each year, including over 100 non-smokers.
Thousands more British Columbians become sick from either tobacco use or second-hand smoke. Second-hand smoke causes the same diseases as smoking, including heart and lung disease, and cancers of the lung, bladder, blood, kidney and nasal passages.
Updated October 5, 2009