Lake Hospital System Makes New Year's Resolution to Become Smoke-Free

LHS To Be Smoke-Free by November 16

As part of its commitment to promote a healthy environment, to encourage healthy lifestyles and to lead by example, Lake Hospital System has made a New Year’s resolution to expand its current policy regarding smoking to include a ban on team member smoking at all eight of its locations. The transition to totally smoke-free campuses for all team members will be completed by November 16, 2006, the date of the Great American Smoke Out.

Statistics have shown that smoking is the leading cause of preventable death and disability in the United States. The dangerous effects of second-hand smoke have also been well-documented in these studies. “We would be remiss as a leader in the community if we failed to take action against such a preventable health risk,” says Cynthia Moore-Hardy, president and CEO of Lake Hospital System.

Lake Hospital System (LHS) will be offering a number of smoking cessation programs throughout the year to help prepare its team members who wish to stop smoking before the smoke-free policy takes effect. Any Lake Hospital System team member who successfully quits smoking and/or using tobacco products between now and November 16 will be eligible to receive a maximum reimbursement of $100 for the cessation program of their choice. In addition,

LHS will provide team members with up to $100 in reimbursements towards nicotine cessation products such as patches, kits or hypnosis treatments.

Furthermore, as an added incentive between now and November 16, 2006, LHS will also provide an additional reimbursement for a team member’s spouse and/or legal dependents who wish to quit smoking. This reimbursement will be equal to half of the benefit provided to LHS team members.