SEATTLE - Providence Hospital in Everett is taking a smoking ban farther than any other hospital in our area.  Patients who insist on smoking will be forcibly discharged. 

Washington state law already prohibits smoking within 25 feet of doors windows and ventilation intakes, but Providence Hospital in Everett is taking the law a bit further. 

The hospital has banned smoking throughout its campus and has promised to discharge any patient who leaves a room to smoke.  Stevens Hospital in Edmonds adopted a similar policy last year. 

"We know the health effects of smoke and second hand smoke, and we want to create and environment that is as healthy for all of our visitors, patients and employees as possible," said Bob Knowles, Stevens Hospital spokesman. 

But Providence reportedly will be the only hospital in our area to classify patients who insist on smoking as discharged against medical advice. 

"It's kind of a bad deal for smokers, but for everybody else it's a good thing there's no smoke," Homer Burton, Stevens Hospital patient. 

Swedish Hospital, which currently has a smoke free campus, is reportedly considering this action.