Parkridge Medical Center and Parkridge East Hospital are going tobacco-free on June 1. As of that date, no tobacco use of any kind will be permitted –inside or outside—on hospital property by employees, patients, visitors, physicians or guests. This initiative also will include the elimination of designated areas outside Parkridge Medical Center or Parkridge East where smoking is currently permitted.
Officials said, "The Parkridge hospitals join hospitals across the country in an effort to become tobacco-free. In keeping with our mission to improve the health of our communities, Parkridge facilities are committed to providing a safe, clean and healthy environment for our patients, employees, visitors and customers. We believe we have a responsibility to take a leadership role on this major health issue."
Use of tobacco by Tennessee smokers, not counting the effects from secondhand smoke, adds up to $2.16 billion in health care costs every year, including $680 million to our Medicaid program. Such are the effects of cancers, heart disease, stroke and other illnesses brought on by smoking. Smoking costs Tennessee another $2.74 billion in lost productivity every year.
"Parkridge’s decision to go tobacco-free is not an attempt to 'force' anyone to quit using tobacco products. Rather, the tobacco-free initiative is a concrete way we can demonstrate our ongoing commitment to healthy living," officials said.