Constance Weare, MSW, CISW, Maricopa County Tobacco Use Prevention Program, 3838 N. Central, Suite 1600, Phoenix, AZ 85012, 602-372-8423, connieweare@mail.maricopa.gov

Through a collaborative effort, Maricopa County Tobacco Use Prevention Program (MACTUPP) provided technical assistance to two major hospitals/healthcare systems in the Metropolitan Phoenix area in their efforts to establish a totally tobacco free health care system. This case study of two policy implementation programs will reveal the differences in implementation, staff buy-in, enforcement and success outcomes depending from where the decision to go smokefree initiates. When the management of the first hospital decided to go smokefree, the human resources department worked closely with MACTUPP and an internal employee task force to plan and implement strategies including extensive communication and site preparation, development of tobacco cessation resources, workshops, and supports for patients and employees. In contrast, the decision-making at the second hospital was “top down” and although the smokefree campus initiative was comprehensive and included many of the same implementations strategies, staff buy in was never achieved. The method of this policy decision has resulted in a reevaluation of the smokefree campus and the “board” is now considering the use of smoking areas. Participants will learn the success strategies and pitfalls to avoid in working with hospitals and healthcare systems to go smokefree. This program is funded by the Arizona Department of Health Services.

Learning Objectives: