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COLTON, CA- As part of its commitment to creating a healthy environment for patients, visitors and employees, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) becomes tobacco free January 2, 2015. The tobacco-free initiative will be implemented throughout the entire campus including parking lots, sidewalks, and streets.
The policy prohibits tobacco use of any kind as well as e-cigarettes, and will apply to employees, volunteers, students, patients, visitors, vendors, contractors and other individuals who visit the hospital campus.
“We are in the business of providing quality health care and have a special responsibility to take a leadership role on this major health issue,” said ARMC Director, William T. Foley. “As health care professionals we are committed to setting a positive example in the community.”
The County of San Bernardino Board of Supervisors approved the non-smoking ordinance in November, and a task force was created at ARMC to help plan and implement the new tobacco-free policy.
Worldwide, tobacco use causes more than five million deaths each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On average, smokers die 10 years earlier than non-smokers.
Kicking the habit can be challenging, but ARMC has smoking cessation classes and other resources already in place. Call the hospital’s Quit Clinic at 909-580-6167, or visit ARMC’s website at www.arrowheadmedcenter.org and click on the “Let’s Clear the Air” link to learn more about what you can do to be tobacco free.
Together let’s clear the air!
ARMC, a university-affiliated teaching hospital, is a state-of-the-art acute care facility with a full range of inpatient and outpatient services including a Level II trauma center, mobile medical clinic, primary stroke center, and a regional burn center. For more information about ARMC, go to: www.arrowheadmedcenter.org.