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Non-smoking policies and practices in Norwegian delivery units in 1994
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Haukeland Hospital, University of Bergen, Norway.
Objective:
To determine the number of delivery units in Norway that have become smoke free for employees and patients.
Design:
A pre-categorised questionnaire was sent in September 1994 to the physician or midwife responsible for each of the 68 delivery units in the country.
Main Outcome Measures:
Hospital smoking policies, reported difficulties in implementation, use of nicotine replacement therapy in patients, and provision of information on tobacco-related health hazards to patients.
Results:
Fifty-six units (82.3%), accounting for 93% of all deliveries in Norway in 1993, responded. Of these, 42 (75%) were smoke-free for employees, and 33 (59%) for patients. Nearly all had become smoke-free after 1990. No significant difference was seen according to type or size of delivery unit. No difficulties in the implementation of policies restricting smoking were reported. Thirty-one (55%) routinely informed patients of the health implications of smoking during pregnancy. Two units offered nicotine replacement therapy to patients.
Conclusion:
Most Norwegian delivery units were smoke-free for both employees and patients. Provided that the recent trend toward adoption of smoke-free policies continues, all delivery units in Norway should be smoke-free by 1997-1998.