DYING SMOKER LEFT OUT IN THE COLD
DYING SMOKER LEFT OUT IN THE COLD
Subtitle: No room under new rules for indoor smoking areas in hospitals
Source: Toronto (Ont) Star (ca)
Date: 2006-12-21
Author: Jack Lakey Staff Reporter, 997-2006
URL: http://www.thestar.com/article/163460
ID: 238745
As Suzanne Penny prepares for death, one of the few remaining
pleasures in life is her cigarettes. They are the cause of the
cancer that ravages her, but also a soothing source of comfort.
They helped Penny cope with the terror of diagnosis, brain
surgery, radiation treatment and knowing she will die soon, and
likely alone.
Cigarettes will be her partner on this final journey; there
isn't anyone else. They are her friends. To indulge her habit,
Penny must leave the Salvation Army Grace Hospital, at Church
and Bloor Sts. She bundles up, rides the elevator six floors
down and pushes her walker out to the smoking area, near the
parking lot and next to an industrial garbage dumpster.
It's the law. There is no protection from wind, rain or cold,
only a bench and a receptacle for butts. "It is quite delightful
when it's dark and raining," said 58-year-old Penny, a trace of
sarcasm tingeing her prim English accent.
Penny and many others in hospitals, chronic care facilities,
nursing homes and seniors residences are on the wrong side of
the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, which bans smoking in workplaces and
public places. It took effect June 1.
Category -Smokefree Policies -Hospitals/Medical facilities
Country -Canada
