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MHC Plans a Healthy New Year’s Resolution
In keeping with its commitment to provide medical care and service of the highest quality, Memorial Health Center will be a tobacco-free campus starting January 1, 2009. As of that date, smoking or tobacco use of any kind will not be permitted on any property owned or leased by MHC. This initiative also includes elimination of designated areas outside of MHC buildings where employees, patients and visitors currently use tobacco products.
MHC joins hospitals nationwide in providing a healthier environment through a tobacco-free campus. As a health care organization, MHC has a responsibility for the health and safety of its employees and patients.
Smoking has dangerous health consequences, not just to those who choose to actively smoke cigarettes, but also to those who are subjected to second-hand smoke. According to the American Cancer Society, cigarette smoking accounts for at least 30 percent of all cancer deaths. Second-hand smoke is responsible for 3,000 lung cancer deaths each year in non-smoking adults, and is the third leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States after active smoking and alcohol use.
The decision to go tobacco-free is not an attempt to “force” anyone to quit using tobacco products, however, MHC will strive to provide a supportive atmosphere for those choosing to stop tobacco use. Resources are being allocated to make the transition as easy as possible for employees, patients, and visitors. For employees, the hospital is offering nicotine replacement patches and gum free of charge in the inpatient pharmacy. Smoking Cessation Classes will be offered to the public after the first of the year.
MHC is asking for the community’s support in its initiative to become tobacco-free. Questions regarding this change in policy should be directed to Jim Hansel, Chief Operations Officer,
at 254-7303.
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