North Shore-LIJ Health System has turned its properties – indoors and out – into a giant smoke-free zone.
Smokers and their friends and families looking for care at the hospital complex would be advised to leave their cigarettes at home from now on, as the health system has made a resolution to kick smoking on their properties.
North Shore-LIJ, which operates 14 hospitals in the New York City region, announced on Thursday, December 31, that it was initiating a system-wide smoking ban that would take effect on January 1. The ban would prohibit all employees, patients, visitors, vendors, volunteers and medical staff from smoking anywhere on hospital property, including outdoors.
“We are optimistic that campus-wide smoking bans will help us reach our goal of providing a healthier environment for all patients, visitors and employees,” said Michael J. Dowling, president and chief executive officer of the health system.
In order to provide support to smokers looking to kick the habit themselves, North Shore-LIJ provides free counseling at its Center for Tobacco Control in Great Neck, including both group and individual sessions. For information, call 516-466-1980 or visit www.northshorelij.com/NSLIJ/stopsmoking.
The New York State Smokers’ Quitline can also be reached at 1-866-NY-QUITS.
