Westchester Medical Group goes smoke free

April

Move over bars and restaurants, hospital and medical campuses are going smoke-free too. (Better late than never, I suppose).

One of Westchester’s largest medical groups announced today that it will be completely tobacco free by July 4th and offer cessation classes for anyone who wants to quit.

“As a leading health-care provider in the region, we continually see the worst effects of smoking—respiratory and cardiac illnesses, strokes, heart attacks, and death,” said Dr. Barney Newman, WMG medical director. “By eliminating smoking on our campus, we are setting a strong example of good health.”

The group’s seven-week smoke cessation program will begin on May 19th. The cost is $140, which includes a CD and materials. To register, call (914) 681-3101.

Smoking-related illnesses claim the lives of 25,500 adult New Yorkers every year. Smoking is responsible for causing about 90 percent of lung cancer deaths and about 80-90 percent of emphysema and chronic bronchitis deaths, according to the American Lung Association.

New York spends about $8.17 billion in smoking-related heath-care costs, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

Other health facilities including Northern Westchester and White Plains Hospital have also eliminated smoking.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 15th, 2009 at 3:44 pm by Candice Ferrette. Print This Post | Email This Post

One Response to “Westchester Medical Group goes smoke free”

Linda Martin April 21st, 2009 at 5:25 pm
All of WMG’s indoor facilities are already completely smoke free and have been since the early 1990s. After rising concern over the health effects of secondhand smoke, New York State’s Clean Indoor Air Act took effect on July 24, 2003 prohibiting smoking in all indoor workplaces in New York State, enabling all New Yorkers to enjoy clean air while they work. What’s new about WMG’s policy taking effect on July 4 is that we are extending the no-smoking area to include all WMG-owned buildings or properties, on the sidewalks contiguous with owned property, or in WMG-owned parking garages or lots, including in cars parked on the premises. There are no exceptions to this policy. Individuals covered by this policy include, but are not limited to: employees, patients, volunteers, visitors, physicians, students, emergency medical staff, vendors and contractors. Visitors who violate the smoke-free environment policy will be given a smoke-free environment information card from a WMG employee or other reminder.

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