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June 4, 2008

Hospital campuses to go smoke free Nov. 20th

On Nov. 20, the Great American Smokeout will take on extra meaning for nine Rhode Island hospitals. Today they announced plans to become smoke free on that date.

The hospitals already restrict smoking throughout most of their buildings. But starting Nov. 20, they will also forbid it on their grounds and in their parking lots. Hospitals that provide “smoking shelters” now, will remove them by then.

The goal is to have a healthier workforce and workplace. To assist smokers, the hospitals plan to offer free medication and smoking cessation clinics.

At the same time, they will not force any employees to quit.

“As health care organizations, hospitals have a responsibility to take a leadership role on this important issue,” said Kathleen C. Hittner, president and CEO of The Miriam Hospital and chairwoman of the board of trustees of the Hospital Association of Rhode Island.

The ban is being imposed by the Landmark Medical Center, Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, The Miriam Hospital, Newport Hospital, Rhode Island Hospital, Roger Williams Medical Center, St. Joseph Health Services of Rhode Island, South County Hospital, and The Westerly Hospital.

-- Journal environment writer Peter Lord

Your turn: Do you support the hospitals' smoke-free campus policy?

Posted by maria caporizzo  at 5:10 PM | Permalink

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Linda | June 4, 2008 8:58 PM link

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