Electronic Cigarettes - Health Care Occupancy
What are the requirements for electronic cigarettes?
Any examples are for illustrative purposes only.
The Joint Commission environment of care standard prohibits smoking, in all buildings. The scope of this element of performance prohibits all smoking regardless of type; tobacco, electronic, or other.
Smoking is a source of ignition regardless of the type, electronic smoking devices contain a heating element to develop the smoke or vapor. Additionally, electronic cigarettes typically contain lithium batteries which can pose a fire hazard.
The Joint Commission standards provide provisions for allowing smoking in specific circumstances, which may include a designated smoking room with appropriate exhaust and fire safety features that are physically separated from patient care, treatment and service areas.
Additional Resources
EC.02.01.03
LS.02.01.70 EP 1 and EP 2
The Joint Commission environment of care standard prohibits smoking, in all buildings. The scope of this element of performance prohibits all smoking regardless of type; tobacco, electronic, or other.
Smoking is a source of ignition regardless of the type, electronic smoking devices contain a heating element to develop the smoke or vapor. Additionally, electronic cigarettes typically contain lithium batteries which can pose a fire hazard.
The Joint Commission standards provide provisions for allowing smoking in specific circumstances, which may include a designated smoking room with appropriate exhaust and fire safety features that are physically separated from patient care, treatment and service areas.
Additional Resources
EC.02.01.03
LS.02.01.70 EP 1 and EP 2
Manual:
Behavioral Health
Chapter:
Environment of Care EC
First published date: April 11, 2016
This Standards FAQ was first published on this date.
This page was last updated on October 29, 2021