News from Cambridge Health Alliance
December 13, 2011
Cambridge Health Alliance Is Going Tobacco-Free
Cambridge, MA…In keeping with its mission to improve the
health of its communities, Harvard-affiliated public health care
system Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) will be tobacco-free effective
January 1, 2012. The initiative will apply to all of the properties
owned and leased by CHA, including the Cambridge, Somerville, and
Whidden Hospital campuses as well as CHA's network of primary and
specialty care centers.
Tobacco use is a leading cause of lung disease and cancer, and,
in an effort to reduce its impact, hospitals across the nation have
become tobacco-free. According to the Massachusetts Hospital Association,
more than half of the hospitals in the state are already tobacco-free,
and others are expected to join in 2012.
CHA is committed to the promotion of quality health care, which
includes the prevention of disease. With this commitment comes the
responsibility of providing a safe and healthy environment for patients,
visitors, and staff. Tobacco use of any kind will not be permitted
on CHA's properties. This includes the removal of all designated
smoking areas outside CHA facilities where patients, visitors, and
employees currently use tobacco products.
"This is an important step to protect the health of our patients
and provide a healthy environment for them and for those of us who
work here," said Allison Bayer, CHA's Acting Chief Executive
Officer. "While we recognize this may be a difficult transition
for some patients and staff, the new policy reinforces our status
as a national leader in community health promotion and shows local
residents that we are serious about our commitment to their health."
To support staff members who would like to quit, CHA launched a
comprehensive tobacco cessation program on November 17, the date
of the Great American Smokeout. CHA also offers one-on-one smoking
cessation counseling at four CHA health centers for patients as
well as a weekly, six-session smoking cessation group that is free
and open to any CHA patient. For more information, please call 617-591-6922.
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