WILMINGTON — The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) announced Aug. 29 that as part of their commitment to provide excellent health care for veterans, the department will implement a policy restricting smoking by patients, visitors, volunteers, contractors, and vendors at its health care facilities by Oct. 1.
According to a release, although VA has permitted smoking in designated areas, there is growing evidence that smoking and exposure to secondhand and thirdhand smoke creates significant medical risks, and risks to safety and direct patient care that are inconsistent with medical requirements and limitations. Accordingly, VA’s Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has collaborated with key stakeholders to update and recertify the policy to be consistent with the department’s commitment to veterans and the community.
“We want to increase the high-quality care to our Veterans by creating a smoke-free campus, by eliminating exposures to secondhand smoke and other tobacco products that may present harm to our Veterans,” said Director Vince Kane who oversees the Wilmington VAMC and its five outpatient clinics in Delaware and southern New Jersey.
The Wilmington VA Medical Center has five total outpatient clinics in Dover and Georgetown, Delaware and Northfield, Cape May and Vineland, New Jersey.
VHA’s new smoke-free policy applies to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and any other combustion of tobacco and non-Federal Drug Administration approved electronic nicotine delivery systems, including but not limited to electronic cigarettes, vape pens, or e-cigars.
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