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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. 
Manual: Laboratory
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 June 06, 2023 with update notes of: Editorial changes only Types of changes and an explanation of change type: Editorial changes only: Format changes only. No changes to content. | Review only, FAQ is current: Periodic review completed, no changes to content. | Reflects new or updated requirements: Changes represent new or revised requirements.
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