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MEMPHIS-AREA HOSPITALS READY FOR TOBACCO-FREE CAMPUSES November 15th Start Date for New Policy In April, Memphis-area hospitals announced they would jointly introduce a new policy establishing all participating hospital campuses as completely tobacco-free zones. The policy will prohibit the use of all tobacco products on any hospital property, including parking areas and previously designated external smoking sites. The November 15th start date for this initiative was selected to coincide with Great American Smokeout Day, an annual event sponsored by the American Cancer Society since 1977. The announcement was made early to give people plenty of time to prepare. Hospital building interiors have been smoke-free since 1991, as required by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. This latest action by participating hospitals and health care facilities extends the boundaries of the tobacco-free environment. “As health care providers, we have an obligation to be role models for good health to the communities we serve,” said Michael Lachina, M.D., chief medical officer for Saint Francis Hospital and chair of the Tennessee Hospital Association Memphis District Steering Committee for Tobacco-Free Hospital Campuses. “We feel an obligation to the community to promote and encourage healthy lifestyle choices.” This initiative will affect employees, physicians, patients, volunteers and visitors. Over the last several months, health care providers have provided much support to those involved. Health care employees have been offered smoking cessation classes, Quit Lines staffed by masters-level counselors, and other smoking cessation support. Participating hospitals include the Baptist Memorial Health Care system, Delta Medical Center, The MED, the Memphis Mental Health Institute, the Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare system, and Saint Francis Healthcare. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital will designate its hospital campus as tobacco-free. The VA Hospital has participated in the planning process, is very supportive of this change and may join the initiative at a later date.
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