Mountain View Hospital Launches Tobacco-Free Campus Campaign

The date of June 1, 2009, marks the beginning of the hospital’s tobacco-free campus policy and includes not only the interior spaces, but the exterior property as well.  The new policy will affect the 250 caregivers as well as all patients and visitors to the hospital, and other medical buildings adjacent to the hospital - Mountain View Medical & Surgical Associates and Madras Medical Group. 

In recent years, the research has clearly determined that tobacco use is detrimental for your health causing heart disease, cancer and lung disease, ultimately impacting an individual’s quality of life.  Allowing the use of tobacco is inconsistent with the need for a healthy and healing environment for caregivers, patients and visitors.

“Once the policy goes into effect, there will be no designated smoking areas on our medical campus,” said Bob Krickbaum, Vice President of Facility Services at MVH. “Tobacco use, whether cigarettes or smokeless, will not be allowed at any time.”

The hospital caregivers were recently informed so that tobacco users can begin cessation programs before the policy is implemented.  “Being one of the largest employers in Jefferson county, MVH is leading the way in assisting our caregivers and their families in quitting tobacco by providing cessation resources and materials,” added Krickbaum.

The Oregon Tobacco Quit Line at 1-877-270-STOP also provides a free tobacco cessation program available to all Oregonians with the desire to quit smoking or other tobacco products.  Callers receive a series of telephone-based ‘coaching’ sessions with professional quit coaches, and starter cessation kits.

“We want to do everything we can to prevent the long-term harm caused by the use of tobacco.  MVH is very proud to be a part of this fight against tobacco products,” said Krickbaum.

“As a nationally recognized healthcare organization known for providing exceptional clinical quality to our patients, we work hard to make it possible for our caregivers, patients and visitors to be healthy and safe.  Providing a tobacco-free environment is one of the most significant actions we can take to protect everyone who may come through our doors,” noted Jay Henry, CEO.