Preston Memorial Hospital is Going Smoke Free
Keeping with the hospitals mission for a healthy community, Preston Memorial Hospital will be implementing a smoke-free campus policy on July 1, 2009! This means that there will be no smoking on any property owned by the hospital. This new policy will include employees, clinicians, visitors and patients. It is the hospital’s expectation that employees, clinicians, visitors and patients will not smoke anywhere visible from any of the hospitals entrances, exits or windows, (including the parking lots). Preston Memorial Hospital is aware that many patients, visitors, and employees may be at various stages of quitting smoking, often smelling, or seeing someone smoke will “trigger” or induce urges for them to want to smoke also. By prohibiting smoking on property owned by the hospital we hope to encourage their efforts to quit. Let’s all work together to combat the major tobacco epidemic affecting our community today. Preston Memorial Hospital wants to role-model healthy behaviors not only to our customers and community, but especially to our children!
Preston Memorial Hospital will be offering free smoking cessation counseling to all employees, community members, and patients. The new prescription insurance coverage for employees and their families, which started January 1, 2009, includes a discount on covered prescription medication that aides in smoking cessation.
The WV Tobacco Quitline 1-877-966-8784, is offering free smoking cessation aides if you qualify. If you have been contemplating quitting, NOW is the time!
Further information will be provided as the implementation date gets closer. If you have any questions, want help, or want to help with the implementation process call 1-304-329-1400 and ask for Human Resources. |