TORONTO (January 20, 2010) - The Scarborough Hospital (TSH) is about to go smoke-free — inside and out at both campuses. A new hospital-wide policy, effective February 1, 2010, prohibits all staff, physicians, volunteers, patients and visitors from smoking anywhere on hospital property, including entrances, sidewalks and parking lots.

In the midst of National Non-Smoking Week, TSH is making a big push to help curb smoking before the policy takes effect. The new policy will work to ensure those who work, visit, or receive care at TSH are protected from second-hand smoke.

“To protect the health of our patients and ourselves it only makes sense to become entirely smoke-free,” says Dr. John Wright, President and CEO of The Scarborough Hospital. “It is a big part of our commitment to the community we serve and the values we uphold at TSH.”

This initiative is one of many steps TSH is taking to promote a smoke-free lifestyle. Gearing up for the launch of this policy, the hospital has hosted several smoke cessation education sessions, and provides access to smoke cessation aids, services and resources for patients and staff.

“We recognize how difficult it is to stop smoking. It was important for us to provide enough support for our staff early on to make the transition to quit easier,” says Lori Irvine, Organization and Staff Development Coordinator. “Ongoing support and accountability are important to making this initiative a success.”

For more information, please contact:

Sherian Singh
Communications Specialist
The Scarborough Hospital
(416) 438-2911 ext. 6373
shsingh@tsh.to

A PDF version of this release is available here.