SMCS Tobacco Free

Effective January 1, 2013, Springfield Medical Care Systems (SMCS) became a tobacco-free organization.
http://www.springfieldmed.org/SpringfieldMedicalCareSystems/News/tabid/78/id/250/SMCS-Tobacco-Free-as-of-January-1-2013.aspx

SMCS Tobacco Free as of January 1, 2013 Posted on 1/4/2013 SPRINGFIELD, VT — Effective January 1, 2013, Springfield Medical Care Systems (SMCS) became a tobacco-free organization. There will be no smoking or tobacco use allowed on any property owned or leased by SMCS, including Springfield Hospital buildings and all grounds and parking areas. “This new policy reflects our continued commitment to provide the best possible care to our patients and their families,” says Glenn Cordner, Chief Executive Officer. “Tobacco use in and around SMCS poses health and safety risks for our patients and their families, as well as our staff.” Staff members at SMCS, including smokers and non-smokers, have been meeting for several months in anticipation of this new policy. A number of resources are being made available for patients, visitors, and staff, including nicotine replacement therapy, nicotine gum, and lozenges, to assist people who use tobacco. For more information about these services, please call 802-885-7346. SMCS is also providing staff with free smoking cessation classes, should employees decide to quit smoking. In addition, the SMCS Employee Assistance Program will be available to assist any employees who are experiencing difficulty with this new policy. “Although we highly discourage tobacco use for health reasons, this new policy does not mean that employees who use tobacco have to quit or that you have to be a non-smoker in order to work or receive care at our institution,” states Janet Lyle, Chief of Human Resources for SMCS. “The SMCS tobacco-free campus policy simply means that no tobacco products are allowed to be consumed on our grounds.” Springfield Medical Care Systems (SMCS) is a not-for-profit, community-based health care system that includes seven community health center locations. SMCS provides an integrated system of care that is patient-centered and emphasizes quality, access, and affordability for all, with financial assistance available based on a sliding fee scale. Services include primary and preventive health care for people of all ages, pediatrics, diagnostic lab and radiology services, a broad array of acute hospital and specialty services, health screenings, mental health programs, dental care, and access to discounted pharmaceuticals. For more information about SMCS and its subsidiaries, please visit www.springfieldmed.org. ###