Tobacco Policy

In order to promote a healthy lifestyle for the customers, patients, residents, and employees of Fitzgibbon Hospital, effective January 1, 1999, the Fitzgibbon Hospital Campus became a totally "Smoke Free" facility. The Campus will encompass all property currently owned and/or operated now and in the future, i.e.., Fitzgibbon Hospital, Cardio-Pulmonary Wellness Center, The Living Center, Community Services, Physician Billing Office, Fitzgibbon Professional Building, Eastwood Building, Grand River Clinic, etc. Smoking and the use of any tobacco products will not be permitted by employees, patients, visitors, residents, etc. on the grounds of these facilities at any time.

Tobacco Hotline 1-800-227-2345

For more information go to Tobacco Free Hospitals

Facts on Smoking

It’s Bad For You

Tobacco smoke contains nicotine, a drug that is addictive… making it difficult , but not impossible, to quit

Smoking is an addiction

More than 400,000 people die in the U.S. every year from smoking related illnesses

Smoking greatly increases your risk of lung cancer and many other types of cancer

It’s Bad For Others

Secondhand smoke, smoke others breathe when you smoke…

Harms family, friends, co-workers and everyone around you

Is associated with 300,000 cases of bronchitis and pneumonia in children, newborn to 18 months of age, every year

Increases a child’s chances for middle ear problems

Worsens a child’s asthma, increasing coughing and wheezing

Teens are two times as likely to smoke if both parents smoke

Smoking can interfere with pregnancy – smoking moms-to-be are more likely to deliver low birth weight babies.

Smoking during pregnancy is attributed to 4,000 baby deaths

Food tastes and smells better

Coughs disappear

Breath smells better

Less risk of bronchitis and other respiratory complaints

Risk for lung cancer will decrease

Decreased risk for heart disease, stroke, other lung diseases, other cancers and other respiratory diseases

Save money – a reduction of a pack a day can save $700 in one year

How To Quit Smoking

Get Ready To Quit

Set a date – get a smoking buddy to quit with you

Be aware of when and why you smoke – consider activities you associate with smoking

Change the routine

Keep cigarettes in a different place so you have to think about getting them

Smoke with your other hand

Don’t do anything else when you smoke

Smoke only in certain places… outside, for example

When you want a cigarette, wait a few minutes by thinking of something else to do instead… chew a piece of gum or drink a glass of water

Buy only one pack of cigarettes at a time

Switch to a brand you don’t like

On The "Big Day"

Get rid of all your cigarettes and put away the ashtrays

Change your routines and stay busy

Do something else when you get the smoking urge

Keep alternatives to put in your mouth on you

Gum

Hard Candy

Toothpicks

Straws

Reward yourself at the end of the day for not smoking

Continue the Quitting Process

Take a walk, ride a bike, go to the gym… exercise!

Eat regular meals

Put the money saved by not smoking in a jar and watch it grow

Enlist support by telling friends and family you quit

Don’t worry if you feel grumpier or sleepier than usual – it will pass

Remember benefits of quitting

Health and wealth

No more cigarette stink, burns or breath

If you do slip and smoke, don’t be discouraged – quit again!

See your doctor if you need more help in breaking your cigarette addiction.