Northern Westchester Hospital to Go Smoke-Free January 1
Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH) in Mt. Kisco, NY, has adopted a campus-wide, tobacco-free policy that will go into effect on January 1, 2009. To protect the safety, health, and comfort of all NWH patients, visitors, staff, volunteers, and students, smoking will now be prohibited on the grounds of the Hospital, including all Hospital buildings, common areas, parking lots, and inside vehicles parked on campus. NWH is the first acute care hospital in Westchester County to become a smoke-free campus.
"After nearly a year of research, discussion, and planning, we are pleased to announce that Northern Westchester Hospital will officially become a smoke-free campus on January 1," said NWH President and Chief Executive Officer Joel Seligman. "The adverse effects of smoking are well known. NWH's smoke-free campus policy demonstrates our dedication to improving and protecting the health of individuals in the community through programs and initiatives that promote healing and wellness."
The Hospital will be offering nicotine replacement therapy including nicotine gum 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to help patients, visitors, and staff control their cravings while on-site at NWH. Additionally, NWH in conjunction with Mount Kisco Medical Group offers a unique smoking cessation program providing educational and emotional support to people of all ages interested in quitting smoking. The free program is customized to meet the needs of each individual participant through a combination of nicotine replacement therapy and innovative methods including social support, hypnotherapy, aromatherapy, and nutritional counseling. Participants of all ages who are at various stages of quitting meet once a week for four weeks while the program is in session. For more information on the program, call (914) 666-1182.
"We are setting an example. This is a place of health and ask all visitors and patients to observe the smoke-free campus," said Dr. Nicholas Rummo, NWH's chief of pulmonary medicine. "Everyone knows that smoking causes harm to the body. It is wonderful that the Hospital administration and staff have chosen to adopt a smoke-free policy."
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