All Canberra Health Services locations are smoke-free. Smoking and vaping exposes bystanders to nicotine and known carcinogens and may trigger asthma symptoms in vulnerable people. There is no safe level of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, therefore smoking products, including e-cigarettes, herbal products or personal vaporisers are not permitted on any of our sites or facilities.
We can help you quit smoking while you’re staying in hospital. We can give you:
- information and advice on quitting
- Nicotine Replacement Therapy (such as patches, gum, lozenges, inhaler or tablets)
- referrals to other supports, such as Quitline.
Please talk to your care team about support they can give you to quit smoking.
Stop before your op
If you have an upcoming operation, you should stop smoking. This is because there is a strong link between smoking and the risk of complications with anaesthetic and after surgery.
The more time you have smoke free before surgery the greater the benefits. If you stop smoking 6-8 weeks before your surgery, it will give your lungs a chance to clear making chest infection and more serious complications less likely. Even stopping smoking for a few days before your surgery can have positive benefits for your blood pressure and heart.
