Local Hospital Entirely Bans Smoking On Its Property

Change is coming at Eisenhower Medical Center.

Starting Thursday, July 1, the hospital is entirely a smoke-free zone.

“It was a surprise at first,” said Jason Greene, a hospital visitor who was smoking near a cigarette receptacle. “But, when you think about the logic behind it, then you realize it’s not really a bad idea.”

Hospital administrators say this bold step had been in discussion for quite some time, and when the official announcement was made to employees in January, a majority of them applauded it.

“If we really believe in the health and wellness of our patients, staff and employees, then we got to ‘walk the talk,'” said Chief Operating Officer Martin Massiello.

Massiello was once a smoker himself, he says. He quit four years ago, and since then, good things have happened. He shed forty pounds, among other things.

“I had some blood pressure issues for many years, and I’ve been able to get off all the medicine that I’ve been on for a long time,” he said.

In order to help the hospital’s efforts, employees are expected to hand out informational cards to remind others that Eisenhower is smoke free. Employees who are not following the rules and are caught smoking consistently could face disciplinary action.

Carl Enzor, director of the hospital’s Renker Wellness Center, says a smoking cessation course is being offered to help people adjust to the new policy. Employees who complete the eight-week course successfully will get their money back. Enzor says only a couple of people have signed up so far, he expected that to happen.

“The numbers say you have to try eight to ten times before you actually succeed in remaining smoke free,” he said.

Thursday morning will be a milestone for the hospital. Its administrators believe other organizations will follow suit and do the same thing.