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Intervention cards | Nicotine replacement | Faculty and staff | Online resources

Intervention cards

Occasionally, patients or visitors may smoke on the main medical campus. Often, this is because they may not know our smoke-free policy and they need direction to the smoke-free boundary. As employees, we have a responsibility to uphold our smoke-free policy while serving as sources for information for our patients.

When you find a patient or visitor smoking in a non-smoking area, there are a few things you can do:

1. Politely approach the person and remind them that they are in a non-smoking area.
2. Ask if the person would like directions to the smoke-free boundary.

Intervention cards that can be used as a non-confrontational way to provide information to patients and visitors about the smoke-free environment are available from the Tobacco Consultation Service and Security and Entrance Services.

Nicotine replacement

Nicotine replacement therapy helps relieve some of the withdrawal symptoms people experience when they quit smoking. There are several nicotine replacement products currently available over-the-counter in the United States, including two nicotine patches, nicotine gum and the recently approved nicotine lozenges.

A nicotine nasal spray and a nicotine inhaler are available only by prescription. A non-nicotine pill, known as Zyban, is also available as a smoking cessation treatment option. To be most effective, nicotine replacement products should be used in conjunction with a behavior change program, such as the smoking cessation program offered by the Tobacco Consultation Service.

Courtesy of the American Lung Association

For faculty and staff

Faculty and staff members who set a quit date before Nov. 9 will be eligible for free nicotine patches for up to three months. Contact the Tobacco Consultation Service for more information: 734-936-5988.

Policy updates

UMHHC Policy 04-06-008 Dress & Appearance Part IV, section A has been modified to include the smell of smoke as an offensive odor that should be avoided on one’s person and clothing when it comes to presenting a professional and appropriate image to patients and visitors.

Review the expanded UMHHC Policy 05-03-001 Smoke-free Environment.

Online resources:

Coping with nicotine withdrawal: Printable handout

UMHS Smoke Free Environment

Inpatient treatment options

How to quit tips from the Centers for Disease Control

The Great American Smokeout

For more information:

Call the Tobacco Consultation Service: 734-936-5988