Yesterday at 7:30 PM • Edited yesterday at 7:55 PM
Healthcare organization TanteLouise, with twelve nursing homes for the elderly in West Brabant, is introducing a strict smoking policy: all locations will become virtually smoke-free. The decision has been met with fierce criticism online and the FNV trade union has questioned its feasibility. The organization itself believes that not much has changed.
TanteLouise has locations in the far west of Brabant, next to a hospice and a geriatric rehabilitation center. Earlier this week, the organization announced the new policy.
“From June 1, only clients are allowed to smoke on the site, in the designated smoking zone outside. Employees, visitors, informal caregivers and volunteers are no longer allowed to smoke and vape on the site, not even in the smoking room,” the statement said. declaration on social media.
Criticism
There is a lot of criticism on AuntLouise’s Facebook page. Many people experience the new policy as patronizing, both for the elderly and for employees. Of the almost 140 responses, the vast majority show incomprehension.
A spokesperson for AuntLouise does not understand the fuss. According to him, the smoking policy has been gradually tightened in recent years, partly because of the national smoking policy. “The National Prevention Agreement states that all healthcare organizations must be completely smoke-free by 2030. This is the final step,” the spokesperson said.
National Prevention Agreement
The National Prevention Agreement is a 2018 pact between the government and dozens of social organizations, aimed at improving public health. Parts include reducing excessive drinking, obesity and smoking. The agreement is not binding.
Aunt Louise makes an exception for residents. “We also understand that if someone has smoked all their life, you cannot take that away in the final phase of life. So we have come up with an interim solution that residents are still allowed to smoke outside in fixed places.”
If they cannot go outside independently, they can be taken by an informal caregiver. It is not allowed to smoke. “If that help is not available? Only then can clients be guided by an employee,” said the spokesperson.
Question marks
The FNV Zorg en Welzijn trade union has questions about this. “As an employee, you are not allowed to smoke, but you must accompany a client to the smoking zone. If you are talking about a safe and smoke-free working environment: how are they going to solve that? Those employees will probably still come into contact with smoke,” said a spokesperson for the union.
In addition, the union points out that a smoke break is the only way for some healthcare workers to catch their breath. “That’s how it is seen. That is no longer possible.”
The union says that in principle it is always in favor of a smoke-free workplace, but wants to wait for implementation. “Of course, but practice must show whether something is feasible. It is still difficult to say here.”