Do long-term care facilities, including nursing homes and rehabilitation (rehab) facilities, permit residents to smoke?

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Last updated: May 7, 2025 • View editorial policy

From the Guidelines

Nursing homes and rehab facilities should not allow residents to smoke indoors, and many are adopting smoke-free policies to prioritize health and safety. When considering the well-being and quality of life of residents, it's crucial to weigh the risks associated with smoking against the benefits of accommodating smokers. According to a study published in Thorax 1, hospitals should be smoke-free, and this principle can be applied to nursing homes and rehab facilities as well. Some key points to consider include:

  • Prominent notices should be displayed to inform staff and residents about the smoking policy
  • The policy should be strictly enforced, with possible exceptions for terminally ill patients who have smoked all their lives
  • Designated smoking areas may be provided outdoors, but this should be done in a way that minimizes exposure to secondhand smoke for non-smokers
  • Facilities should balance residents' personal choices with the health needs of all residents, fire safety regulations, and state laws regarding smoking in healthcare facilities. It's essential to inquire about the specific smoking policy of a nursing home or rehab facility during the admission process to ensure it aligns with the resident's needs and preferences.

From the Research

Nursing Home and Rehab Facility Smoking Policies

  • The study 2 found that nursing homes have consistent policies regarding resident smoking, which include monitoring residents' mental acuity, physical restrictions, and equipment requirements to determine if they are at risk of harm to themselves or others.
  • For residents identified as at-risk smokers, facilities implement policies such as controlling and distributing cigarettes, supervising residents while smoking, and providing fire-resistant aprons and fire extinguishers in smoking areas.
  • However, the study does not provide information on whether nursing homes and rehab facilities allow residents to smoke, but rather focuses on the policies and procedures in place to manage resident smoking.

Smoking Cessation and Resident Smoking

  • Studies 3, 4, 5, and 6 focus on smoking cessation and the efficacy of various medications, such as varenicline and bupropion, in helping smokers quit.
  • These studies do not provide direct information on whether nursing homes and rehab facilities allow residents to smoke, but rather explore the effectiveness of different treatments for smoking cessation.
  • It can be inferred that nursing homes and rehab facilities may have smoking cessation programs in place to help residents quit smoking, but the studies do not provide explicit information on resident smoking policies.

Resident Smoking Policies

  • Based on the available evidence, it appears that nursing homes have policies in place to manage resident smoking, but it is unclear whether residents are allowed to smoke in these facilities.
  • Further research would be needed to determine the specific policies and procedures in place regarding resident smoking in nursing homes and rehab facilities.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.