Bonner General Hospital to become tobacco free

Bonner General Hospital is committed to providing a healthy environment for all who visit or work at our facilities. With that in mind, we're proud to announce that effective Oct. 1, 2008, Bonner General Hospital is going tobacco free at all of its facilities.

This means that as of that date, no tobacco use of any kind will be permitted inside hospital buildings, on our parking lots or anywhere on the grounds of our facilities.

Why did we make this decision? As a healthcare leader in our community, Bonner General Hospital has a responsibility to take a leadership role on this major health issue. Research has shown that tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable death and disease in the United States.

Cigarette smoking is linked to heart disease, cancer, stroke and lung disease.

Smoking by patients can impact the success of healthcare procedures and can also increase recovery time. As a hospital committed to providing a healthy environment for our patients and staff, we believe that permitting the use of tobacco products on hospital grounds contradicts this commitment.

The purpose of this initiative is not to dictate lifestyle changes for those who are not interested in quitting. Rather, it's a concrete way that Bonner General Hospital can demonstrate our ongoing commitment to healthy living. Our patients are our first priority, and we're working carefully to ensure appropriate coping strategies or nicotine-replacement options are in place for them.

By implementing a tobacco free policy, Bonner General Hospital is joining several other Idaho hospitals that have already taken this proactive step to provide a healthier environment for their patients, visitors and staff. We appreciate your support as we work to provide a healthier environment for all who visit or work at Bonner General Hospital!

Lynda Metz is the director of community development at Bonner General Hospital.