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Hospital grounds go tobacco free Nov. 19

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State Journal Staff report
November 5, 2009

Frankfort Regional Medical Center is going tobacco free – outdoors and in.

In conjunction with the American Cancer Society’s 34th Great American Smokeout Challenge on Nov. 19, the local medical center is creating a tobacco free environment.

Administrators and medical staff believe the move is vital to promoting the health of patients, visitors, employees, volunteers, medical staff and others, according to a news release.

Tobacco use of any kind will not be permitted:

>In the buildings or on the grounds of the hospital and medical pavilion.

>At any office/program operated off-site by Frankfort Regional Medical Center including the Rehab Center and Lawrenceburg Campus.

 “As a hospital and healthcare provider we strongly believe this is the right thing to do for those we serve and those who work at our facility,” said CEO Chip Peal.

“Allowing the use of tobacco products on hospital grounds sends a message that is inconsistent with our mission.”

The Franklin County Health Department offers tobacco cessation support and education classes to help community residents quit using tobacco products.

For more information, call 564-5559.

Community members can also call the Kentucky Tobacco Quit-line at (800) QUIT-NOW to receive one-on-one proactive counseling for tobacco users.

 




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 9 Total Comments
9.
    Posted by bjos November 9, 2009
I think FRMC is doing this for reasons other than peoples' health. They may have several reasons, but that is not one of them. Also, I tend to agree that it will not be enforceable. Plus, people who go to the hospital generally do not do so voluntarily--they are forced to either by an emergency or some other medical reason. And the hospital's current smoking area is not in the general traffic area at all. It is isolated in such a way that someone would have to go specifically to that area in order to be affected by the smoke. And, no, smoking is not a constitutional right, but neither is it illegal. I tend to sympathize with the smokers (I'm not one of them) and wonder why drinking is okay, when it kills many more innocent bystanders than smoking does.

8.
    Posted by roanhorse November 6, 2009
Thank you FRMC!!! I hate walking thru smoke to get inside a building. Or leave a building for that matter. Wish State Government would ban smoking outdoors also.

7.
    Posted by LocalLady November 5, 2009
Mouse
You better quit while you're ahead - your comments
are laughable.

Why is it so hard for you to accept the fact that business establishments are going smoke free? Restaurants have done it and college campus' are doing it - why not hospitals?

No one is forcing you to use the local hospital - if you think you can go somewhere else to receive medical care and be allowed to smoke freely, then GO!

6.
    Posted by MousePotato November 5, 2009
If this is the hospital wants to be this unfair with smokers, why don't we (the patients) just try to prohibit drinking at places like country clubs and golf clubs for each and every member of the AMA? Or another thing we could do to pay such a hospital back is maybe put a low maximum limit on the amount of money they're allowed to charge patients, whether covered by insurance or not.

5.
    Posted by LocalLady November 5, 2009
"you know for the smokers out there when some one goes to the hospital its upsetting and a smoke calms the nerves. they don't think about this crap do they"

Any hospital/medical personnel are well aware of the effects of nicotine on the system. That's why the medical people are very supportive of ordering nicotine patches or gum. (So say my friends who smoke). I have a suspicion that some higher powers, such as accrediting agencies, may be the ones tightening the reins on the hospital to implement some sort of no smoking ordinance - I've seen that happening in other states and it was only a matter of time before Kentucky got hit with it too - just a guess on my part.

4.
    Posted by aja_deacon November 5, 2009
1)Tobacco smoking is not a constitutional right; 2) It is the right of the private property owner to prohibit whatever he/she wants to prohibit on their property, especially if it is in direct conflict with the mission of the service that is provided.

3.
    Posted by Southern Hostility November 5, 2009
Honestly...I don't really care what anyone has to say. If I'm OUTSIDE of a building it's fair game to me.

If you're an adequate distance from the door and you're not intentionally in the path of any possible pedestrians then the possible health risk to anyone other than yourself is totally non- existent.

I can understand just about any indoor smoking regulation and it is more or less impossible to intelligently scrutinize those regulations. But because those regulations are in place the outdoors is the smokers domain.

And so now places are starting to try to regulate smoking outside...I don't think so. Just try to stop me. Please.

2.
    Posted by countryboy November 5, 2009
In my opinion this darn freedom thing in the constitution is going to the birds. what now we can not smoke at the hospital. geeeze this is crazy. you know for the smokers out there when some one goes to the hospital its upsetting and a smoke calms the nerves. they don't think about this crap do they.

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