Backus properties to go smoke-free beginning March 1
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Backus 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 at Backus.
Since September, a Backus work group has been discussing the decision to go smokefree, and working on ways to make this change. The group includes smokers, nonsmokers 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. 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."
For more information, go to www.backushospital.org/smoking