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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 12:43 p.m., Wednesday, November 8, 2006

Queen's Medical Center establishes smoke-free policy

Advertiser Staff

The Queen's Medical Center will become a completely smoke-free campus beginning Nov. 16 — the day a new state anti-smoking law takes effect.

The hospital will no longer allow any patients, staff or visitors to smoke anywhere on its premises.

Dr. Paul Morris, who has headed the committee responsible for crafting and implementing the hospital's new no-smoking policy, said the move makes sense for a health care institution.

"As health care providers who treat the detrimental effects of smoking every day, we believe it's our responsibility to set a good example and make the entire campus smoke-free," Morris said in a prepared statement. "We acknowledge this new policy will represent a change, but a change for the better. The harmful effects of smoking and second-hand smoke will not be permitted anywhere on the campus."

The new state law is one of the toughest in the nation and designed to protect more people from health problems associated with secondhand smoke. The measure bans smoking in enclosed or partially enclosed places of employment, including any area closed in by a roof, overhang or two walls. Examples include eateries, bars, lobbies, lanais and covered walkways. The ban also covers any place in which food or drinks are served, including lu'au and garden parties.

Smoking is also not allowed in facilities owned by the state or counties, or enclosed or partially enclosed places open to the public, including all airports. The ban includes buses and taxis, along with sports arenas, outdoor stadiums and amphitheaters. No smoking is allowed within 20 feet of entrances, exits, windows and ventilation intakes of structures in which smoking is banned.

Queen's is providing a wide variety of smoking cessation resources to its patients and staff. Anyone seeking to quit smoking or help a loved one quit can call the Hawaii State Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or go online to: www.callitquitshawaii.org.