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OHIO COUNTY HOSPITAL
Implements tobacco-free campus policy
Implements tobacco-free campus policy
Hartford, KY – Ohio County Hospital will be tobacco-free as of January 1, 2009. No tobacco use of any kind will be permitted – inside or outside – on hospital owned property, including all Ohio County Family Care locations and the Fordsville Area Medical Clinic.
The Hospital’s decision is consistent with efforts of other regional, state and national organizations, focused on improving the health of the general population. These organizations believe that as the use of tobacco decreases, health will improve and productivity will increase. Elimination of smoking in and around hospitals will be beneficial for those patients whose health is already compromised.
“Prohibiting smoking on Hospital property and providing support to those who wish to quit is a concrete way the Hospital can make a difference in the health of the community,” says Blaine Pieper, CEO of Ohio County Hospital. “We are aware of how difficult this will be for employees, physicians, patients and visitors who smoke. We are offering a wide range of options to assist our employees in their efforts to quit. Smoking cessation courses we will also be provided free of charge to the community. We will continue to explore other ways we can be of assistance through the transition period.”
Ohio County Hospital invites the community to join us on November 20th for a Great American Smoke-Out event. We will be hosting a “Smoke-Out Station” in the front lobby of the hospital where cigarettes or tobacco products can be traded for chewing gum, breath mints or lollipops. Smoking cessation information will be available.
The Hospital requests the community’s support as we move forward with our tobacco-free initiative.
