Healthy move

'U' Hospital to become smoke free

Without knowing it, or perhaps not accepting it, millions of people everyday choose to consume thousands of chemicals in a matter of minutes. One solitary cigarette may seem harmless, but according to the American Cancer Society each tiny roll wrapped neatly in white contains more than 4,000 chemicals. As one puff turns into an occasional weekend drag and eventually a daily fix, addictions develop and the need for nicotine becomes irresistible. Long nights of studying and late hours of partying often trigger addictive tendencies, but some places on campus are simply unacceptable atmospheres to light up. Sometimes health must take precedence over habit; thus, the University is in the process of eliminating smoking inside Medical Campus buildings. Officials mapped out the Hospital space several years ago, and over time the areas designated for smoking have been slowly reduced. Currently, two areas remain where patients may smoke and on Valentine's Day, the entire medical campus spent an entire trial day smoke-free.

Allowing patients and staff to smoke inside the University Hospital undermines the facility's primary purpose - the devotion to human health. University Hospital administrators, some of whom smoke themselves, understand the needs of patients in today's health conscious society. Researchers from the National Cancer Institute find that tobacco use, mainly cigarette smoking, is the most preventable cause of death in the United States. More than one-third of all annual national cancer fatalities occur solely from cigarette smoking, which includes secondhand smoke. Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, also known as ETS, drastically increases a nonsmoker's risk of developing lung cancer. Reports issued in December 1992 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reveal that ETS kills several thousand nonsmokers every year. Besides causing lung cancer, secondhand smoke exposure can lead to severe respiratory problems in others, particularly infants. The University medical community's commitment to preserving life justifies eliminating smoking.

The new rules bear no impact on research; the policy specifies that under controlled circumstances, people may smoke for educational and religious purposes. The University Hospital acknowledges smokers' desires and rights in the process of making the medical campus a smokeless environment. Following guidelines set by the Tobacco Consultation Service, the medical staff has initiated a smoking cessation program that provides free support to help smokers kick the habit. The services include individual consultations, group counseling and for those who enroll before June 30, 1999, free nicorette gum and nicotine patches. The program stresses that quitting smoking decreases a person's risk of developing serious illness and limits health problems of unborn children. In complying with the needs of smokers, the University Hospital facilities are not only easing into the banning process but also taking an active role in helping smokers battle addiction.

02-15-99