Dauterive Hospital is beginning the process of creating a smoke-free environment for patients, visitors, volunteers and staff by participating in this week’s Great American Smokeout — completely smoke-free.

In preparation for becoming completely tobacco-free, including not only cigarettes but all forms of tobacco, a week of activities is under way. By participating in this week’s national endeavor to stop smoking, the hospital is looking forward to Feb. 12, 2010, when no tobacco of any kind will be permitted inside the hospital, on its grounds or at any of the medical complexes surrounding it.

“Inhaling smoke, first- or second-hand, is a life-threatening act that has no place in or around a health care facility,” said Alan Fabian, chief executive officer of Dauterive Hospital. “By adopting policies that restrict the use of tobacco on Dauterive Hospital property, we are ensuring that our patients, coworkers, physicians and others who visit our facility may breathe clean air, and we hope to encourage those who do smoke to adopt healthier behaviors.”

This smoking area at Dauterive Hospital becomes smoke-free Feb. 12. No tobacco will be permitted inside the hospital, on the grounds or at nearby medical complexes. INNESS ASHER / THE DAILY IBERIAN Advertisement

There have been activities this week at Dauterive such as door decorating and games.

There is also a trade-in offer at the facility’s Garden Cafe restaurant Thursday, as patrons who turn in a pack of cigarettes and agree to quit smoking will receive a free sandwich for their efforts.

“We need to model the healthy behaviors we want to see in the community,” said Anna Burke, chief nursing officer. “We take our responsibility to promote healthy lifestyles seriously.” 

The decision to become tobacco-free is not an attempt to force anyone to quit using tobacco, but the initiative is a visible way to demonstrate the hospital’s commitment to health, officials said.

Smokers across the nation are being asked to consider making plans to quit during the Great American Smokeout on Thursday, or if planned in advance, were asked to quit smoking Monday. The anti-smoking week sponsored by the American Cancer Society lasts until Friday.

Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the U.S., according to the organization, and smoking also accounts for $193 billion in health care expenditures and productivity losses.