Banner Health to go tobacco free at all of its facilities
PHOENIX (Nov. 13, 2009) – Effective Jan.1, 2010, all Banner Health facilities will become tobacco free.
At that time, Banner Health policy will prohibit the use of any tobacco product including cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco or chew tobacco by anyone on our grounds or in our facilities.
“As a leader in health care, we have a commitment to be health advocates for the people we serve, including patients, visitors, volunteers, employees and physicians,’’ said Peter S. Fine, Banner Health president and CEO.
Some of Banner Health’s campuses have already gone tobacco free and some may go tobacco free earlier than Jan. 1. Banner Health owns or operates 22 hospitals in seven states. The nonprofit organization also has dozens of physician practices, outpatient surgical facilities, hospice and home care services.
“During the last few years, local and state initiatives around the country have limited smoking in public places to minimize the effect of secondhand smoke,’’ Fine said.
As part of Banner’s tobacco-free policy, employees, volunteers, physicians, patients and visitors will not be allowed to use tobacco products on Banner property or within Banner facilities. Employees who use tobacco products will not be told to they need to quit, but will not be allowed to use tobacco products while on Banner property. Banner is offering support and resources to those who wish to quit.
Patients will be advised of the tobacco-free policy at the time of pre-admission or admission and will be encouraged to talk with their physician about concerns of complying with the policy and to make arrangements to provide them with appropriate nicotine replacement options. Visitors will also be informed about Banner’s tobacco-free policy and about nicotine replacement options available in hospital Gift Shops.
About Banner Health
Headquartered in Phoenix, Banner Health is one of the largest, nonprofit health care systems in the country. The system owns or manages 22 acute-care hospitals, long-term care centers, outpatient surgery centers and an array of other services including family clinics, home care and hospice services, and a nursing registry. Banner Health is in seven states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada and Wyoming. To learn more about Banner health, go to http://www.bannerhealth.com.
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