3:51 p.m. - FARGO (AP) -- Employees of MeritCare Health System face tighter restrictions on smoking, in part because of patients' complaints, managers say.

MeritCare employees were notified in a recent memo that they will not be allowed to use tobacco products while on paid time as of March 1. If they smoke during breaks, they must do it off MeritCare property and out of patients' or co-workers' view. Employees will be sent home on unpaid time to correct any smoke odor offensive to patients or co-workers, under the new policy.

The policy affects all MeritCare Health System centers, including 17 in Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo, 17 others in Minnesota and 10 in North Dakota.

Most Fargo businesses were ordered to go smoke-free on Nov. 19, after a public vote. Most Moorhead and West Fargo businesses go smoke-free next Wednesday.

MeritCare employees have been prohibited from smoking in buildings or on MeritCare property for several years, said Dr. Gregory Post, a MeritCare senior executive and chief of staff of MeritCare Hospital in Fargo.

Post said employees have been walking across the street or elsewhere off MeritCare property to smoke during breaks.

"The unfortunate thing is, they're often in view of patients within the hospital," Post said.

The memo explained that patients have complained about tobacco odor on staff members' hands and clothing. Patients also have asked why health care staff members routinely tell them not to smoke, yet they see hospital staff members smoking outside.

"We just have to be very cognizant of the needs of our patients. It's a huge customer service issue," Post said.

He also said it is important for public health.

"If we truly are the leaders in health care, we need to set the pace or set the tone and really lead by example," Post said. "We really want to decrease the prevalence of smoking."

An internal survey conducted two years ago showed about 21 percent of MeritCare employees smoke.

MeritCare is the largest employer in Fargo-Moorhead, with 6,100 full-time equivalency workers, according to figures collected this fall by the Chamber of Commerce of Fargo Moorhead.

Post said he has not heard much reaction since employees were notified of the new policy last Friday.

Fargo's Innovis hospital has been a smoke-free campus since opening four years ago, said Miranda Obach, an Innovis spokeswoman. No employees and visitors are allowed to smoke on the grounds, except inside their car. Obach said Innovis has about 750 employees.

Innovis policy doesn't include a specific clause about the smell of smoke on employees, but does include a need for good personal hygiene and appearance. Obach was not aware of disciplinary actions for anyone who broke rules related to smoking.

Beginning Dec. 1, MeritCare employees were given a six-month period to take advantage of a free initial consultation with a tobacco cessation counselor. Discounts on nicotine replacement products also are available.

"One of the things we want to do is to truly work with our employees that currently smoke," Post said.

Employees who violate the smoking policy will be given verbal and then written warnings. A continued breach of policy may result in firing.

"We don't mean the policy to be punitive. We really truly want all of our associates to take the opportunity to discontinue their tobacco use," Post said.