| NATCHEZ – July 30, 2007 – Effective January 1, 2008, Natchez Regional Medical Center will take a monumental, proactive step to implement a tobacco-free hospital. A tobacco-free hospital is defined as having a written and posted policy that prohibits anyone from using any tobacco products (smoking or smokeless) anywhere on the property of the medical facility, including sidewalks, walkways, driveways and parking lots under the hospital’s ownership or control.
Natchez Regional has joined hospitals across Mississippi in an effort to become tobacco-free. As a healthcare organization, we are committed to the health and safety of our employees and patients. We believe that we have a responsibility to take a leadership role on this major health issue, and allowing people to use tobacco products defeats this purpose.
“This demonstrates our concern for every individual’s health and underscores our commitment for a healthier community,” said Jeff Wesselman, CEO of Natchez Regional Medical Center. Tobacco is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, and is the cause of death for 4,700 Mississippians every year. It is the root cause of many illnesses and lost productivity. Tobacco use in and around hospitals poses health and safety risks for patients, employees and visitors. In Mississippi, tobacco use accounts for more than $719 million in medical expenditures each year.
“Tobacco-free environments are an important step to improving the health and safety of all Mississippians, and we believe the enhanced restrictions at Natchez Regional will play an important role in addressing the dangers of tobacco,” said Wesselman.
Natchez Regional Medical Center is proud to be one of our State’s hospitals leading this initiative to demonstrate our commitment to a healthier Mississippi. For more information on the State’s Tobacco-Free movement, you can visit www.tobaccofreems.com.
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