Missouri Delta Becoming Tobacco-Free Campus: Summer 2012

Smoking is a health and safety hazard both to tobacco users and nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke, carrying very serious health risks.  Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States.  Missouri ranks third in adult smoking rates in the nation and nearly 10,000 Missourians die from tobacco-related illnesses ever year.  Missouri’s annual health costs from tobacco use are estimated at $1.96 billion with lost productivity estimated at $2.34 billion.  Hospitals in our region and across the state are working to decrease such statistics.

“Beginning August 1, 2012, Missouri Delta Medical Center will adopt a tobacco-free campus as a health and wellness initiative,” explains Jason Schrumpf, President of Missouri Delta.  “This policy is designed to preserve the health of our employees, patients, visitors and volunteers along with fulfilling the hospital’s mission of promoting the general health of our community.”

In an effort to be sensitive to the addictive nature of nicotine, Missouri Delta Medical Center is providing ample time and resources to help those committed to smoking cessation.  “Implementing a tobacco-free campus policy is a very ambitious goal requiring comprehensive implementation and communication strategies.  However, we feel that this initiative is well worth the undertaking and are committed to working together with everyone during this transition period,” states Schrumpf.