Baptist-UC to implement tobacco-free policy

Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union City will implement a new tobacco-free policy on its hospital campus Nov. 15. The date was selected to coincide with the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout.
All Baptist Memorial Health Care facilities, including minor medical centers and home care facilities, have adopted the new policy. The change will prohibit the use of all tobacco products on any Baptist property, including parking areas and previously designated external smoking sites.
“As health care providers, we have an obligation to be role models for good health to the communities we serve,” said Donald H. Hutson, administrator and chief executive officer. “We feel an obligation to the community to promote and encourage healthy lifestyle choices.”
This initiative will affect employees, physicians, patients, volunteers and visitors. Baptist Union City announced these plans in May and has offered free smoking cessation classes for employees.
For more information, please contact the public relations department at Baptist Union City at 884-8750 or visit www.baptistonline.org.
Published in The Messenger 11.14.07