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Local Voices

Breathe Easier at Emerson With New Tobacco-Free Policy

As the leading health care institution in the region, Emerson Hospital is instituting a completely smoke-free and tobacco-free campus, effective Oct. 21.

 

Emerson has long prohibited smoking in buildings and on its grounds, other than within designated smoking huts, which now have been eliminated. With the new policy, tobacco use – including chewing tobacco – will be prohibited in all areas of the campus, including inside vehicles parked on Emerson property.

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Emerson is not alone in traveling down this path. In fact, more than 73 percent of all hospitals in the Massachusetts Hospital Association have taken the tobacco-free pledge. The full list is available at http://www.mhalink.org/am/template.cfm?Section=MA_Tobacco_Free_Hospital_Honor_Roll.

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Emerson’s smoke-free and tobacco-free policy has already been in effect for employees, medical staff and volunteers since May. Christine Schuster, president and CEO of Emerson, said the decision to expand the policy to include patients and visitors was not taken lightly.

 

According to the American Heart Association, tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in the U.S. and a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease – the nation’s No. 1 killer. In addition, the American Lung Association cites secondhand smoke as the cause of nearly 50,000 deaths annually, as well as adverse health effects including lung cancer, respiratory infections and asthma. The 2006 Surgeon General’s Report on secondhand smoke concluded that there is no risk-free level of exposure, and short-term exposure can potentially increase the risk of heart attacks.

 

“We have great respect for individual freedom of choice, but tobacco use affects the health of everyone on our campus,” Schuster said. “As stewards of the health of our community, we have a responsibility to provide a safe and healthy environment. By going tobacco-free, Emerson is sending a strong signal about the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle that we hope others will emulate.”

 

For more information, visit www.emersonhospital.org.

 

Emerson Hospital is a multi-site health system headquartered in Concord, Mass., with additional facilities in Sudbury, Groton and Westford. The 179-bed hospital provides advanced medical services to more than 300,000 individuals in 25 towns. To learn more, visit www.emersonhospital.org.    
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