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The Puffer Police
One of the first things I learned when I started my teaching career is that if you make a classroom rule, you should state the consequences of a violation, and, more importantly, enforce the consequences upon a violation.
When I would have student teachers, too often they would be inclinded to give another chance, give another chance, give another chance, until the rule meant nothing and the students carried on as if they had never heard of such a rule.
That's what I'm wondering about when it comes to the recent decision by the administration of Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital to initiate the program called "Clearing the Air." They have decided that CVPH should be a "tobacco-free facility."
Bravo! I support that decision wholeheartedly and I can guaranteed that you'll never catch me puffing on the hospital grounds. There are now banners at the entrances of CVPH announcing that CVPH is "Clearing the Air." Near one of the temporary main entrances of the hospital, where you enter for the emergency room and fast track, there are six bright yellow and red signs posted.
The signs state: "Tobacco-Free Facility for Employee's Health - No Smoking - Thank You for Your Cooperation." One thing is missing, however.
What is the consequence if someone violates this new policy? Is there a fine? Will they be escorted off the hospital grounds? Are they subject to a police summons? Is there a consequence if someone violates the new policy?
And people do violate the new policy! On Saturday morning at nine o'clock my brother and I exited CVPH and walked past two men who stood just outside the emergency room door, in between two of the six signs. Both men were smoking cigarettes. Both men were not doing their part in "clearing the air." As I passed by them, I coughed to make a point. I don't think they got it.
I turned back to check if I were seeing correctly. I was. It would have made quite a photo. These two guys smoking among six "No Smoking" signs. I think that CVPH might have to add a second sign under the first. A sign which states the consequences of smoking on CVPH grounds.
But there is now a second effect from the new CVPH policy, and that is, where do smokers go to smoke? Can they smoke in their own cars? Will CVPH establish a Puffer Police force which will cruise the parking lot constantly, searching for violaters? Even the CVPH employees are in a quandry. Have you noticed some hospital staff standing on Cornelia Street, just inches off the CVPH grounds and just inches away from the "Clearing the Air" signs, smoking during their lunch break?
I guess you can only clear the air so much. At a certain point, the air belongs to everyone, not just CVPH. It's a tough call for the administration of CVPH and for those who smoke and work there. There is no use having a rule if you can't enforce it.
Comments
WooHoo!!! It's Friday, December 7! Party time!!
I'll raise a glass of O'Doul's or alcohol-free wine at 8pm (Central time - 9pm Eastern), to toast Foxy & my fellow bloggers. Wishing I were there. Have fun, y'all!
(Foxy's note: We are wishing you were here! Thanks!)
Posted by: Dianne Scott | December 7, 2007 3:35 PM
Foxy; I love my wife very dearly and she smokes. I even buy her the smokes by the carton. I have given up trying to have her stop! She is a very considerate smoker I must add and every time we get in the discussion of stopping smoking it ends in a dispute. So I go along with it.
It's in the 80's here in Florida and I am recovering from my foot surgery I had last week. I sure wish I could be with everybody at Merons tonight. It would be very special to see and talk to so many people and friends from the past. Foxy, you lead a toast to all the great people and friends who have passed away. And lead a toast to the living and the future. Make sure you let all your readers know what happened on this special night at Meron's. Happy Holidays to All!
Lenny Smallacombe
Posted by: Lenny Smallacombe | December 7, 2007 9:09 AM
Having had two parents who smoked and seeing several friends, acquaintances, and my mother pass-on from this terrible addiction just makes me sick.
I think that the best "puffer-police" should be the smokers own conscience. They should realize they are killing themselves, slowly, and making themselves unnecessarily sick and unattractive. They should realize that their smoke is far from their own. Not only does it pollute their lungs and bodies with tar, nicotine, and carcinogens, but also those of innocent and unsuspecting people around them.
Yes, smokers should be more considerate. Kathy as a ‘considerate’ smoker is a rare breed. Thank you, Kathy, for your consideration, but do yourself, your friends, and your family a favor and quit. I think the hardest thing my mother did in her 60-year life was having to tell her son and daughters, who she loved more than anything in the world, that she would soon be dying because of her life choice to smoke.
I apologize for my candor in this topic, but I have no empathy for smokers and the fate that await them.
I promise to be more cheerful at the smoke free environment in Meron’s on Friday! See you then.
(Foxy's note: Kern, your points are well-taken. Your life and your children's lives were deeply affected by your Mom's choices. And -- you are correct! There will be plenty of cheer to go around on Friday. Looking forward to seeing you!)
Posted by: Kern | December 6, 2007 11:10 PM
perhaps like hunters and fishermen, smokers could be required to get licenses and would have to renew them annually and could also be required to wear those license plate thingies on their backs when smoking...We could kill 2 birds with one stone, the annual fees collected could be used to pay for a "warden" (perhaps "old Timer") to patrol for smokers and skunks!...SEE YA ALL FRIDAY!!
(Foxy's note: Looking forward to seeing many Blogoteers at the Carver's party at Meron's beginning at 5pm on Friday. I'll be bringing my notebook. And my favorite snack to share!)
Posted by: The Carver | December 6, 2007 6:14 PM
If you are caught smoking on the C.V.P.H grounds the penalty is, "You have to watch 30 consecutive days of soccer on the Public Access Channel."
(Foxy's note: Hey, Me -- You haven't seen anything yet. I'm just getting to the good part -- the PHS boys soccer team went to the NY State finals! And our cameras were there!)
Posted by: Me | December 6, 2007 11:41 AM
I agree with J, smokers should do their thing in private, like us pot heads. We've been suppressed and denied our right to do it in public, except in Altona, for a long time and have accepted it gracefully. Smokers should do the same.....TBI
(Foxy's note: It is fitting that the 2,300th On the Sly comment be from one as pithy (thanks, Bill O'Reilly) as Tom-A-Hawk.
Posted by: Tom-A-Hawk | December 6, 2007 9:33 AM
My vote for the Puffer Police would be you, Foxy. Another retirement job. We all know that you were the penultimate hall monitor in the Middle School...Al Zaferakis has to be considered number 1.
Most people I know applaud CVPH's decision. They are the face of health in the north country. It is a matter of time before the only place smoking will be permitted, will be on/in the property of the smoker.
Posted by: j | December 6, 2007 8:14 AM
Fox,
What C V P H needs to do is designate a specific smoking area. Actually there should be a couple of them....one more toward the front of the hospital and one more toward the back of the hospital.
I am a smoker but I also recognize the rights of those who do not wish to be around smoke. I have always considered myself a considerate smoker and I take into account those around me. Having said that, I have to point out that more and more places are treating smokers as lepers. I will leave it at that, as I could go on for several paragraphs on this subject.
C V P H should strike a happy medium and designate certain areas as smoking areas.
Posted by: Kathy | December 5, 2007 9:52 PM