The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) will implement a new policy restricting smoking at its healthcare facilities by October 2019, according to an article on the Veterans Affairs website.
The ban extends to patients, visitors, volunteers, contractors and vendors.
A recent VA survey revealed that approximately 85 percent of responding facility leadership support smoke-free campuses.
The new smoke-free policy applies to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, any other combustion of tobacco and non-Federal Drug Administration approved electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), including but not limited to electronic or e-cigarettes, vape pens or e-cigars.
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