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Hendry Regional going Tobacco Free
 On January 1, 2010, Hendry Regional Medical Center will institute a ‘no tobacco, smoke-free’ policy inside the hospital, on all its sites and campuses, and on all associated parking lots. Currently, employees, medical staff and visitors must go outside the facilities to use tobacco products, but as the New Year begins, tobacco use will be prohibited, both inside and out. Signs will be posted around the hospital campuses to alert visitors of the change.
A stop-smoking team, consisting of hospital employees, began working months ago to identify and implement ways to ease the transition for people who were using tobacco. Craig Cudworth, hospital CEO, says, “The new policy is the right example for healthcare providers to set for the community. Our hospital wants to provide an appropriate healthcare environment.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that each year nearly one in five U.S. deaths result from tobacco use, and statistics show that approximately $150 billion is spent each year in healthcare for smokers.
For those who want to take this opportunity to stop smoking, the hospital is offering free smoking cessation classes. Call David Theroux, Cardiopulmonary Director, at 863-902-3051 for additional information regarding the class schedules.
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