Tobacco Free Policy and Resources

VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital is Tobacco Free

As a health care organization we are committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors and for promoting positive, healthy behaviors.  We are all proud of our area’s tobacco heritage and indeed the tobacco industry has helped to build and strengthen our community.  However, as a leader in health care, we have an obligation to maintain an environment free of tobacco.

Smoking and tobacco use is clearly harmful to everyone’s health.  Our decision to go tobacco-free with other hospitals in our region and throughout the state demonstrates to our patients, employees, physicians and the community a commitment to healthier living.

The tobacco-free status applies to all VCU Health CMH campuses, parking areas and the vehicles parked there.  Our tobacco-free policy addresses all tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes,  chewing and smokeless tobacco and extends to everyone who uses tobacco products—patients, visitors, employees, physicians, students and vendors.   Thank you for supporting our tobacco-free campus.
 

Below are some important facts and resources:

Facts:

• Tobacco use is the #1 cause of preventable deaths in the United States.
• Smoking related diseases cost the United States more than $150 billion each year.
• Non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke are at 30% higher risk for developing heart disease.

Resources

• Virginia Tobacco Quit Line:  1-800-QUIT-NOW
• American Cancer Society:  1-800-ACS-2345 or visit 
• American Lung Association - 1-800-LUNG-USA
• We CAN quit