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Duke Health Tobacco Free Policy
Duke Health adopted a smoke free policy in 2007. Areas include all Duke Health owned and solely-leased properties, both inside and outside of all buildings, on grounds, interior streets and parking structures. All employees, faculty, patients, visitors, volunteers, students, vendors are subject to the policy.
Beginning July 1, 2020, Duke's smoke free policy will be extended to include all buildings or grounds owned or leased by Duke University. The policy will prohibit the use of all tobacco products, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, hookah, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco, snuff, snus, and IQOS.
For more information about the policy, see the manager toolkit.
Tobacco Use Surcharge
Duke charges employees covered under a Duke medical insurance plan who smoke or use other forms of tobacco an extra $50 per month for Monthly paid employees and $23 per pay period for Biweekly paid employees. The surcharge does not apply to dependents who use tobacco.
“Tobacco user” includes anyone who has used tobacco more than five times in the previous two months. Tobacco use includes smoking and use of snuff, e-cigarettes, or chewing tobacco. The use of a nicotine patch and nicotine gum are not subject to the surcharge.
The monthly surcharge will be removed upon completion of a tobacco cessation program through LIVE FOR LIFE, Duke’s employee wellness program. If you think you might be unable to complete the program, you may request to complete an alternative program or meet a reasonable alternative standard. Completion of an alternative activity may allow you to avoid the surcharge. Contact us at (919) 684-5600 and we will work with you (and, if you wish, with your doctor) to find the best method for achieving your best health.
Upon completion of a tobacco cessation program, the surcharge will be removed and you will receive a full refund of all tobacco surcharges paid during the current calendar year.
Visit the Tobacco Cessation website for more information.
If you have additional questions about the surcharge, please contact LIVE FOR LIFE (919-684-3136, option 1).
Durham County Smoking Ordinance
The Durham County Board of Health Smoking Rule bans smoking or e-cigarette use in many public outdoor and indoor spaces. More information about the rule can be found on the Durham Public Health Webpage. The rule prohibits smoking at hospital entrances or surrounding sidewalks.
All three DUHS hospitals are tobacco-free campuses and therefore, do not have designated smoking areas. The ordinance does not apply to Wake County and therefore, non-Duke property around Duke Raleigh Hospital is not affected.