LewisGale Hospital Alleghany is joining hundreds of hospitals across the country and in Virginia, who have made the choice to go smoke-free to impact the health of the communities they serve. According to the American Lung Association, smoking is the number one cause of preventable deaths in the United States.
Starting Sept. 1, smoking and the use of all tobacco products will be prohibited on the hospital campus. This includes the parking lots and adjacent clinic buildings.
“As a healthcare provider we want to be a role model for the community,” said Charlotte Tyson, CEO, LewisGale Hospital Alleghany. “There is no denying the dangers of smoking. Smoking contributes to many health problems that we treat every day including heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Our mission is to improve the health of our community and this is one major step in that direction.”
Over the next two months, LewisGale Hospital Alleghany will also work with local physicians and other providers to designate appropriate smoke-free alternatives for patients such as patches and medications.
“We understand this may be a difficult change for some patients, visitors and employees,” said Tyson. “We also plan to offer smoking cessations classes to our staff and community in the coming weeks to assist with them with the transition to a healthier lifestyle.”