Beginning November 1, 2007, Spalding Regional Medical Center will become a tobacco-free campus. At that time, the hospital will no longer permit employees, physicians, patients or visitors to use tobacco products anywhere on any hospital property, including outdoor areas and parking lots. Spalding Regional Medical Center is joining hospitals across the country that have already committed to a tobacco-free campus.

Tobacco use can cause diseases such as cancer, lung disease, heart disease, stroke and more. Secondhand smoke also is linked to cancer and heart disease, and according to the U.S. Surgeon General, “there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke.”

“By becoming a tobacco-free campus, Spalding Regional is reinforcing our commitment to providing a healthy environment for all of our patients, employees and visitors,” says John Quinn, Chief Executive Officer of Spalding Regional Medical Center.

Spalding Regional has assembled a tobacco-free task force of tobacco users and non-tobacco users to help implement the policy and develop a program to assist employees who use tobacco products and who wish to quit. The team is also working on creating guidelines on how to assist patients who are tobacco users during their hospital stay.