Wise Regional Smoke-Free Policy |
In keeping with the hospital's vision of a "Healthy Community” and to consider the needs and concerns of our community, to provide a healthy environment for every patient, visitor and employee, Wise Regional Health System will implement a smoke-free policy as of April 1, 2008. There is significant scientific evidence that smoking is extremely hazardous to a person’s health. It is the major preventable cause of premature death today and the most important public health issue in our society. The hazards of smoking range from short-term irritation of the respiratory tract to long-term serious health effects such as lung cancer, emphysema, oral cancer, and heart disease. There is increasing scientific data to support the view that smoking is harmful to both smokers and non-smokers who breathe in other people’s smoke (Passive Smoke). Passive, Side Stream Smoke, or Environmental Tobacco Smoke (EETS) is a principal source of indoor air pollution and contains more than 6,000 compounds, many of which are known carcinogens, poisons and irritants. Our Governing Board of Directors, which provides community perspective and direction for WRHS, unanimously adopted this policy. This policy will apply to all patients, visitors, medical staff members, volunteers, vendors, contracted staff and employees of the hospital. This policy is part of the hospital's ongoing effort to promote community health and wellness, to prevent and treat disease, and to ensure a safe, clean environment. Our health is our most valuable asset. This new policy is one of the most important steps that our hospital can take to ensure that we do everything we can to preserve it.
Learn more about Learning to Live Smoke Free.
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Additional Resources: American Cancer Society American Heart Association American Lung Association Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Cancer Institute 1-800-QUITNOW (1-800-784-8669) www.smokefree.gov
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