Hospital tardy in enforcing smoking ban

Publication Date: 2005-04-22

• Author:SCOTT MAYEROWITZ
• Publication:Providence (RI) Journal-Bulletin

While smoking was banned in most public places on March 1, patients treated by the state Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals have been allowed to continue to smoke.

Kathleen M. Spangler, the department's acting director, said there has been a delay by her department in educating patients about the new law and -- for the time being -- she is allowing patients to smoke in designated areas.

Spangler also acknowledged yesterday that on weekends and at nights she has smoked in her own office when nobody else was around.

State law clearly prohibits smoking in public buildings at any hour.