To view this video, you need to download the latest version Flash Player.
SALT LAKE CITY -- Starting Thursday, smokers will not be able to light up, even outside Salt Lake area Intermountain Healthcare hospitals. The hospitals will begin a tobacco-free policy in conjunction with the American Cancer Society's "Great American Smokeout."
The no-smoking policy will impact LDS Hospital, Intermountain Medical Center, Alta-View Hospital and the Orthopedic Specialty Hospital in Murray. The newly-opened hospital in Riverton already has a tobacco-free campus policy.
In a news release, Region Vice President Larry Hancock said, "Our hospitals are places of healing and promoting health is central to Intermountain's mission."
Dianne Sano works in the emergency room at Alta View Hospital and was on the committee to make the hospital tobacco-free.
"We felt it was the right thing to do for our employees and patients," Sano said.
The idea has been in the works for about a year. It wasn't until a month ago, however, that things started changing.
"This was a big deal. We had to put up many signs and hand out literature informing patients ahead of time," Sano said.
Patients who do not smoke told KSL News they like the idea, but some smokers aren't too pleased with the new policy.
"They're taking it too far," one smoker told KSL.
Even though he agreed that non-smokers shouldn't have to breathe second-hand smoke, he said smokers should have a place to go where they can light up.
"I worry about patients and families that are around in kinda tough situations and go out and smoke. I see that a lot," said Scott Tucker, who works at Intermountain Medical Center.
To help, patients will be offered nicotine patches or nicotine gum as a replacement. Visitors will be able to get both products in hospital gift shops.
------
Story compiled with contributions from Marc Giauque and Amanda Butterfield.
News |
Weather
Traffic |
TV
Sports
Opinion |
Radio |
Classifieds
Announcements
Events
Movies |
Advertise with KSL
Other Resources
Wireless
Legal
Sister Sites
|