Smokers moving outdoors
By Colette Lefebvre
Herald-Tribune
The American Lung Association's nationwide smoking ban initiative --plans to reduce the number of smokers in the nation by 2010 -- has not-so-subtly crept into Missouri and Kansas, so much so that smoking has become almost a secretive, guilty pleasure for many who smoke.
Most business areas and restaurants are eliminating smoking areas, citing concerns over the carcinogenic qualities of second-hand smoke as the reason.
No smoking policies
Hospitals
As of Sept. 1, Nevada Regional Medical Center will no longer allow employees to smoke outside of the hospital or even in the parking lot. This initiative was orchestrated by the Missouri Hospital Association, a not-for-profit association located in Jefferson City, Mo. Kim Cook, a spokeswoman for Nevada Regional Medical Center stated that the smoking ban will not be restricted to Nevada Regional Medical Center, but also to affiliated campuses. Moore-Few and Barone Care Centers as well as the rural health clinics in Sheldon and Rich Hill. Since the Missouri Hospital Association released the recommendation in May, most hospitals are regulating their policies.
"NRMC will be a role model in promoting healthy lifestyles and will work to reduce the use of tobacco in our community. The decision to go tobacco free will help us build a healthier environment for out patients and their families, our employees and visitors." stated Judy Feuquay, NRMC CEO in a recent press release.
Even though many hospitals in Missouri and Kansas have been smoke-free indoors for a decade, these new rulings will eliminate smoking even in or around the parking lot and sidewalks of the campus.
Several hospitals in Kansas in Illinois have voluntarily implemented to-bacco bans as well.
These hospitals participated in the May announcements as part of MHA's St. Louis Metro-politan Hospital Council and the Kansas city metropolitan healthier council and a regional partnership of MHA and the Kansas Hospital Association.
Mercy Health Center of Fort Scott, Kan., plans to implement such a ban beginning Jan. 1. Hospitals that are gearing up to quit smoking next week are offering smoking cessation programs to employees and sometimes even the surrounding community. These classes come at a nominal fee or are even free to the public. Cook said, "Employees cannot smoke on property or carry tobacco products with them, but we have offered tobacco cessation program on property and some have quit."
To enroll in any upcoming classes contact the NRMC Community Education de-partment at (417) 448-3622.
Marc D. Smith, MHA president stated in a recent press release, "Just as each hospital is different, each hospital will implement the ban to reflect the unique needs of the facility. As leaders of the health care community, it's important that we demonstrate positive health behaviors and a take a strong stand against the use of a proven health hazard. We plan to use this opportunity to educate our communities about the dangers of tobacco use."
The Joplin Globe reported that one of the greatest concerns local hospital staffs have with respect to such new policies is dealing with grieving visitors and family members while trying to enforce the tobacco-free regulation and stay in compliance with both the Missouri and Kansas State Hospital Associations.
College campuses
Smoking on college campuses once seemed to be everywhere, but the practice is increasingly discouraged in the college setting as well, although the idea of having smoke free halls of learning is nothing new.
Until about 10 years ago, professors were allowed to smoke within the confines of their offices, stated Steve Reed, director of public Information for Cottey College.
"All of our buildings are smoke-free. Students and faculty are restricted to smoking in the gazebo areas and not within 20 feet of any entrance of any of the buildings.
Fort Scott Community College follows nearly identical restrictions, said Steve Armstrong the Dean of student services.
"It's college policy -- all buildings are smoke-free. There are designated smoking areas outside the buildings not inside," Armstrong said. "We have had very good cooperation from the students. When we changed our smoking policy several years ago there was some resistance to change but it changed."
According to a study conducted by the Center for Disease Control, smoking statistics find that the heaviest smokers are aged 18-44 and the age group that smokes the least are 65 and older.
"We try and teach students a well-rounded approach to life, both academically and athletically. They learn that their personal well being as well as fitness is the job that higher education has, to make students able to make responsible choices," said Reed.
Smoking in the workplace
The American Lung Association issued a report in 1986 that described the dangers of second hand smoke and the affects it had on others who were not smoking. Reports state that smoking in the workplace can affect a persons health, by not only the toxins inherent in the cigarette but cigarettes can also absorb chemicals that around them according to a 1986 research study. Cigarette smoking can add to health damage caused by exposure to toxic agents.
The United States is not the only nation focused on eliminating the high rates of smoking, Switzerland recently found that they have the highest number of smokers on the EU next to Poland, Hungary and Greece. So, they developed a campaign with the slogan "Smoking is harmful."