Clearing the air at hospital

• Columbus Regional Healthcare goes tobacco-free for Great American Smokeout.

By JEFFERSON WEAVER
Staff Writer

The change hasn’t been easy, but it hasn’t been cold-turkey, either.

Columbus Regional Health Systems went tobacco-free when the hospital opened for business this morning (Thursday). Vice president Terrie Priest said the change has been a tough one, but the hospital is working with employees to help them lead healthier lives.

“We have several complaints about people walking through the clouds of smoke around the doors,” she explained. “Plus, it was time to make a healthier change.”

The hospital is joining others in the region in banning smoking on all hospital facilities. While some have opted for a smoke-free date of Jan. 1, Priest said local hospital officials wanted the change to coincide with the Great American Smokeout.

Effective this morning, smoking is prohibited by visitors, patients, and employees on the hospital grounds. Visitors are asked to leave tobacco products in their vehicles.

“This is a move toward better health for everyone,” she said.

The hospital has already held several trial run days for employees, and has had some success with smoking cessation and nicotine replacement programs. The hospital also unveiled a new walking trail and has offered classes in stress relief and other techniques for soon-to-be-quitters.

The hospital recognized 13 successful quitters at a program Wednesday night, amidst a display of luminaries and pairs of shoes symbolizing the lives of North Carolinians lost every day to smoking-related illnesses. A balloon release will be held at noon today announcing the tobacco-free campus, priest said.

“We realize this is a big change for a lot of people,” she said, “and that’s why the hospital is trying to ease the transition through education.

“It’s taking some getting used to,” she said, “but a lot of people said the hospital could never go smoke-free (in) the buildings. That was a big deal for some people, but we got through it, and everyone will be better for the change.”