By Chris Taylor
Murray, KY – Murray-Calloway County Hospital workers and patients who smoke may soon no longer be required to leave the campus property to light up. The hospital implemented a smoke-free policy over two years ago. Hospital board member and Calloway County Judge Executive Larry Elkins says the best idea is to go back to a designated smoking area because the current policy is unenforceable. Elkins says one common scenario at the hospital is terminally ill patients who want to smoke.4
"How are you going to enforce that? Are you going to run them off the property? There's no way you can fine them and if you could that's not the right thing to do."
Patients and hospital staff are currently required to cross the street from the hospital to smoke. Elkins confirms the hospital board has formed a committee to discuss potential changes to the hospital's tobacco policy. He says a recommendation should be ready for review when incoming CEO Jerry Penner takes the helm next month.