Backus goes smoke-free March 1
PrintBackus Hospital will become tobacco-free on March 1. The use of tobacco products will not be allowed on any Backus property, including off-campus locations and parking lots.
Currently there are designated smoking areas in some outdoor locations.
"We know we are making the right decision. It's equally important that we go about this in the right way," said Dave Whitehead, President and Chief Executive Officer.
Since September, a Backus work group has been discussing the decision to go smoke-free, and working on ways to make this change. The group includes smokers, non-smokers and former smokers, and includes many departments - including those in non-hospital areas of the Backus system.
"The group has faced all the issues head-on, and we have had good support and communication," said Mary Bylone, RN, Assistant Vice President for Nursing Operations.
An important part of the group has been a Smokers' Support subcommittee, which has addressed the concerns and requests of smokers.
The subcommittee was formed to allow a forum for smokers - those most directly affected by the decision to go tobacco-free - to have a voice in the process. Its goal is to provide compassionate support to visitors, employees, and their families in their efforts to stop or decrease smoking and improve the health and environment for Backus patients, staff and the community. The group is made of administrators, nurses and staff members and is a mix of smokers and nonsmokers.
"They've thought of everything they can to make it go smoothly," said Gen Zawilinski, a Backus respiratory therapist, "But they can't do everything. People have to want to quit."
Backus Hospital Campus Boundaries
Beginning March 1, 2010, Backus will be tobacco-free, which means there is no smoking allowed on Backus property. Hospital property is considered anything shaded in green on the map below.
What it means
The smoke-free policy extends to the inside and outside of every building and property owned, leased or maintained by Backus.
This policy not only applies to the 326 Washington St. campus and its surrounding properties, but to every Backus satellite location. This includes:
- Backus Outpatient Care Center, Norwich
- 12 and 19 Case St., Norwich
- Backus Home Health Care
- Baltic warehouse
- Franklin warehouse
- Colchester Backus Health Center
- Gales Ferry Backus Health Center
- Groton Backus Health Center
- Montville Backus Health Center
- Plainfield Backus Health Center
What is happening? As of March 1, smoking is prohibited on all hospital property either owned or leased by Backus Hospital. All Backus employees, staff, volunteers, patients, visitors and vendors are expected to comply with this change in policy.
How will this change affect me? The previous policy prohibited smoking inside Backus facilities, but allowed it in designated smoking areas outside of the buildings. The new policy states that smoking within buildings or grounds owned or leased by the hospital is entirely prohibited, which includes parking lots and sidewalks adjacent to the properties.
Why is this happening at Backus? Our mission is to improve the health of the community we serve. By becoming completely tobacco free, we're setting an example of wellness and prevention that is important to the health of our patients, staff, and community.