Statewide smoking ban irritates nursing home residents
News from Washington State:
The state’s tough new anti-smoking law has an unlikely opponent: aretired doctor who argues the ban is forcing elderly smokers in nursinghomes to take unnecessary risks.
Dr. Robert Guild, 71, saysthe law is forcing him and other smokers at the Maplewood GardensRetirement Apartments – some in wheelchairs and walkers – to brave anice- and snow-covered lawn to get to a structure that is far enoughaway from the retirement facility to meet the ban’s requirements.
Thesmokers have dubbed the structure “Butt Hutt,” and argue that it is apoor replacement to the well-ventilated smoking lounge managementprovided before the ban on indoor smoking went into effect in December.
“There’soverhead heating, but it’s very inconvenient, and there are nofacilities,” Guild said, noting that restrooms are important for folkshis age.
The state’s new smoking ban, which went into effectDec. 8, is the strictest in the country. In addition to banning smokingindoors, it requires a 25-foot smoke-free buffer around doorways,windows that open and ventilation intakes.
