Birmingham Health District Partnership and Smoking Policy

As a national leader in pediatric healthcare, Children’s of Alabama believes having a tobacco- and smoke-free environment is essential to the health of our patients and guests. Children’s prohibits the use of all tobacco products, which includes cigarettes, smokeless tobacco products, cigars, pipes, snuff, e-cigarettes, IQOS or any other handheld device that emits an aerosol/vapor to simulate smoking or vaping.

This policy applies to all persons including employees, medical staff, contractors, patients and visitors. This policy is applicable to all Children’s of Alabama properties, including all indoor and outdoor spaces including parking lots and decks, except for the two designated smoking areas on Children’s Russell Campus. Designated areas are located outside of the Benjamin Russell Emergency Department near the 16th Street sidewalk area and adjacent to the McWane building entrance alongside the Cooper Green Mercy Hospital property line gate. Signs are posted to denote these designated smoking areas. These two designated areas in which tobacco product use is permitted are solely for adult use. In Alabama, a person must be  21 years of age to purchase tobacco products, including e-cigarettes/vape products.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved nicotine replacement products – including nicotine patches, nicotine gum and nicotine lozenge – are a medical treatment for quitting tobacco and are permitted. Free nicotine patches and gum are available at PedsRX in Children’s McWane lobby. Another free resource for those interested in quitting is the 1-800-QUIT-NOW number, which provides advice on quitting and for those who qualify, free nicotine patches.

Visit the following for additional informational about the Birmingham Health District or for the Children's of Alabama tobacco policy.