FAQs
Why is Owensboro Health smoke-free?
Hospitals serve as vital and central leaders in their communities. By moving to smoke-free grounds, Owensboro Health can provide an improved environment at all of its locations and further the health of the 11-county region we serve. We also recognize that smoking is the leading cause of disease and preventable death in the United States, along with mounting evidence that secondhand smoke poses a health risk to non-smokers. Establishing smoke-free grounds allows us to increase our involvement in helping patients, visitors and employees become non-smokers and protect others from secondhand smoke.
Why were smoking areas eliminated?
Providing areas to smoke does not support our goals and mission to create a healthier environment for our patients, their families, our employees and community. We need to effectively eliminate triggers that make becoming a non-smoker difficult, including designated smoking areas and structures. Such areas imply that Owensboro Health approves of smoking.
Does it apply to patients and visitors?
Yes. The smoke-free grounds policy applies to everyone on any property owned or leased by Owensboro Health: employees, physicians, contractors, vendors, patients, visitors, volunteers—anyone. For safety and liability reasons, patients may not leave the hospital grounds until discharge. Caregivers are directed to provide smoking cessation education and follow the nicotine replacement protocol (for details, refer to the Smoke-Free Environment Policy).
Resources for Quitting
Nicotine is extremely addictive. If you or a family member has tried to quit smoking alone you know how difficult it can be. But like many challenges we all tackle throughout life, the chance of success becomes more likely with help. We encourage you to talk with an expert or someone who has stopped smoking. Make an appointment with your family doctor, visit a support group or consider utilizing the resources listed here.
Free Booklet: Quitting for Life
Ask for this easy-to-follow self-care handbook with a step-by-step guide to becoming a non-smoker. Quitting for Life will guide you through planning for change, coping from nicotine withdrawal and making healthy choices. This handbook will help you put your thoughts into action. Call Jean Julius at 270-688-4856 for your FREE copy!
Support Group: Cooper Clayton Start-to-Stop Method
Join a FREE weekly support group in a 12-week program at the Owensboro Health HealthPark. Participants may also choose to use a nicotine replacement product. Contact Jean Julius at 270-688-4856.
Nicotene Replacement: Product Reimbursement Available to Employees
Employees enrolled in an Owensboro Health health insurance plan can receive over-the-counter and prescription nicotine replacement products by obtaining a prescription for the product, then paying the generic co-pay at the pharmacy counter. Employees not enrolled in the health plan may request nicotine replacement reimbursement by calling Human Resource Development at 270-685-7700.
Talk with a Counselor: Kentucky Tobacco Quit Line – 1-800-QuitNow
Access this free program and talk with coaches trained to help you through the physical and psychological challenges of becoming a non-smoker. Your initial coaching session will take only 15-20 minutes; you can schedule follow up calls with your coach, too. Phones are answered seven days a week, from 7:00 am until midnight.
Web Resources
ASPIRE (A Smoking Prevention Interactive Experience) was developed by MD Anderson for middle and high school students. The program includes colorful animation, interactive experiences and videos and is unique in that adolescents may participate regardless of whether or not they smoke. Log on to www.mdanderson.org and entire “aspire” in the search box.
Smokefree.gov – The site offers topics and a number of resources related to quitting, including toll-free phone numbers where you can get advice on quitting from a counselor.
becomeanex.org – A new way to help you think about quitting. The EX Plan is a free quit-smoking program that will help you re-learn your life without cigarettes. Before actually stopping the program shows you how to deal with the very things that cause people to slip when they try to quit smoking.
http://switchandquitowensboro.org – Switch and Quit program to help adult smokers quit smoking by using alternative tobacco products.
Other Resources
