May 24, 2012
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - It doesn't matter if you're a patient, a visitor or an employee, starting January 1st, you will not be allowed to smoke on hospital grounds here in East Tennessee.
Ahead of the change, hospital officials have come up with ways to help you cope, and maybe even quit, for good.
With the new year comes new rules.
When 2011 arrives, hospital campuses in East Tennessee will be smoke-free.
"Of all people in the world who are leaders in healthcare should be hospitals. And we should be modeling the behavior that supports a healthy lifestyle," says UT Medical Center's Chief Nursing officer, Janell Cecil.
Whether you're a patient, employee or visitor, you will not be allowed to light up on the grounds.
"If it's something that's really important to you as an individual, then you'll be encouraged to leave the campus in terms of a guest or a visitor," says Cecil.
In anticipation of difficulties smokers will face, the hospital is putting strategies in place. It already has nicotine replacement products in the gifts shop and is considering putting nicotine gum in the vending machines.
"The reality is, if you're more than 2 days without a cigarette, you will go through withdrawal. We are prepared to have all of the pharmacy products available to help them get through the withdrawal symptoms," says Cecil.
Security personnel will walk the grounds to hand out pocket cards with tips on how to quit smoking.
"Withing 24 hours, a smoker's heart rate goes back to normal. There's just a lot of good physiological things that that will help them to be physically healthy," says Cecil.
And Cecil says, if you're physically healthy, you won't need to visit the hospital.
"The ability to smoke freely is getting smaller and smaller and eventually it will be more painful to do it and we'll have a healthier population."
For information to help you quit smoking, click on the link below.
