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Lee Memorial Health System is one step
closer to going completely tobacco free! Phase II of the
System’s Tobacco Free Lee campaign launched on Friday, June 19.
Smoking areas at each of the System’s locations---both owned and
leased have been greatly reduced.
Employees, physicians, patients and visitors who choose to smoke
will be asked to move out of high traffic areas into our newly
designated smoking areas. These will be temporary smoking areas
until Nov. 19, when all tobacco products will be prohibited from
System properties. Maps detailing the new temporary smoking
locations are available at each of the hospitals for patients,
family members, employees and physicians.
Some community members have asked why LMHS is going completely
tobacco free while many others have asked why it has taken so
long or have said “thanks” for doing this. Eliminating tobacco
products is an important step for our health system because it
enables LMHS to continue to meet our mission to improve the
health status of the citizens of Southwest Florida by supporting
a tobacco free environment and a healthy workplace. This is an
opportunity to be a leader in the community when it comes to
caring not only for our own employees’ health and well-being,
but also for the community members we treat on a daily basis.
Lee Memorial Health System won’t be the only health system in
our region going tobacco free in November. Three other Southwest
Florida local hospitals and health systems have also agreed to
go tobacco free on Nov. 19, including Lehigh Regional Medical
Center, Physicians Regional Healthcare System and NCH Healthcare
System. Thus, all hospitals in Charlotte, Lee and Collier County
will be completely tobacco free in November! Additionally many
other local businesses have agreed to or are considering joining
us by going tobacco free by November 19.
Tobacco Free Lee means that as of Nov. 19, 2009 all forms of
tobacco, including cigarettes and smokeless tobacco like chewing
tobacco or dip, will be prohibited from use on all Lee Memorial
Health System properties. If you are looking for more
information, we have a Web page for community members at
www.LeeMemorial.org. We have also offered and
continue to offer smoking cessation programs for employees as
well as to our community.
This is an exciting transition for our health system and our
community…a chance for us to make a difference and perhaps
reduce the amount of lung cancer cases in Southwest Florida.
Everyday, we see the devastating affects of lung cancer on our
patients and their families. What an opportunity to save lives
and avoid having to hold your breath when entering or exiting
any of our facilities!
Peace,
Jim Nathan, LMHS President
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