As the healthcare leader in our community, St. Mary’s Hospital is preparing to become a smoke-free campus to help promote healthy habits.  Starting November 20, 2008, the use of any tobacco products will be prohibited on the hospital campus.  The new policy will become effective on the same day as the Great American Smokeout®, which challenges people all across the nation to stop using tobacco and raises awareness of how to quit for good.

“As a leading healthcare organization in this region, St. Mary’s Hospital acknowledges and accepts the responsibility to promote the health and well-being of all our patients, visitors, employees, volunteers and physicians,” said Mark Boucot, SMH Vice President.  “To do that, we must also be a role model for healthy lifestyles for others in our communities.”

An SMH task force, made up of smokers and non-smokers, will guide the hospital through this transition, to make it as smooth as possible.  Our Health Connections Department along with St. Mary’s County Health Department offers a free adult group smoking cessation program. 

Many other Maryland hospitals have already become smoke-free, and SMH is proud to join them in the cause to promote good health.  Tobacco use can cause lung cancer, as well as other cancers, heart disease and lung disease.  Smoking is responsible for 1 in 3 cancer deaths and 1 in 5 deaths from all causes, according to the American Cancer Society.  Another 8.6 million people are living with serious illnesses caused by smoking.  Please let us know how we can best assist you during this transitional period.