Leadership Message: Free nicotine lozenges support a healthy environment

Dear Colleagues:

Did you know we have free nicotine lozenges for visitors and staff? 

Nicotine medications are provided to our hospital patients to replace the urge to smoke or vape outside. For visitors and staff (including construction crews), our hospital pharmacy offers individually wrapped 2 milligram nicotine lozenges. People can pick up two to four lozenges a day at one of the distribution sites.

Nicotine products vs. nicotine medications

Commercial tobacco and nicotine products are designed by the industry for high-potency delivery of nicotine, which is highly addictive and not permitted for use on UC campuses.

In contrast, nicotine medications are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for smoking cessation and regulated for their safety and content.

UC smoke and tobacco-free policy

In 2008, UC Davis Health pioneered one of the first Smoke and Tobacco-Free campus policies, and in 2014 the UC Smoke and Tobacco-Free policy became systemwide.

The Smoke and Tobacco-Free Subcommittee (under the Safety Committee) has worked hard to refresh outreach efforts for a healthier environment. Secondhand smoke is harmful to others, including our neighbors surrounding the hospital and satellite clinics. 

A word of caution

Vaping in the bathrooms has become a leading cause of our hospital Code Reds, which indicates a fire situation. Cigarette butts are non-biodegradable, toxic waste and e-cigarettes/vapes are hazardous waste. Please submit any environmental reports in the RLDatix Incident Reporting System.

Improving patient care

In the hospital and clinics, the Smoke and Tobacco-Free Subcommittee is working with project teams to improve assessment and treatment for the increasing variety of tobacco products: cigarettes, e-cigarettes/vapes, and smokeless/oral nicotine products.

Our pharmacists can order nicotine medication in the hospital and clinic settings – without waiting for a physician order – and assist with medication management and coverage. Free coaching support with Health Management Education and Kick It California is also available.

Supporting staff wellness

We have staff resources for being Tobacco-Free at Work and our manager surveys show strong support for an enhanced policy similar to UCSF.

Still have questions? Please contact the Smoke and Tobacco-Free Subcommittee at breathefree@ucdavis.edu.

Yours in health,

Elisa Tong, M.D. M.A.   

Director, Tobacco Cessation Policy Research Center
Medical Director, Stop Tobacco Program, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center
Professor, Division of General Internal Medicine