While cigarette smoking is responsible for over 480,000 deaths per year, we still see the desire for seniors to continue the habit. Smoking can cause serious healthcare issues such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung disease, COPD, and a multitude of others. The state of Maryland mandates that you have a written smoking policy in place as to whether you will allow your residents to smoke on your premises. Check out the regulation below, provided by OHCQ, for more information:
.47 Smoking.
A. The assisted living program shall have a written smoking policy that indicates whether or not the program
permits smoking.
B. When smoking is permitted, the assisted living program shall:
(1) Establish smoking policies and procedures which are designed to minimize the risk of fire;
(2) Provide in the policies and procedures at least the following:
(a) Prohibit smoking in any hazardous location and in any room or compartment where flammable liquids,
combustible gases or oxygen are used or stored;
(b) Designate smoking areas; and
(c) Provide the smoking areas with ashtrays of noncombustible material and safe design; and
(3) Provide smoking areas that comply with COMAR 09.12.23, if the facility is considered an “enclosed work
place” as defined in COMAR 09.12.23, including the ventilation requirements set forth in that regulation