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Mary Lanning goes completely smoke free




(11/20/2008) By Denise Booker - Thursday is Great American Smoke Out Day. It is a chance to help smokers quit tobacco for good. And Mary Lanning Hospital in Hastings is helping people put an end to the habit. Its entire campus is now smoke free.

The hospital has been smoke free inside for years, now smoking outside is off limits as well.

Saint Francis in Grand Island and Good Samaritan in Kearney have already made their campuses smoke free. Now, Mary Lanning is joining the trend.

It has placed a number of smoke free signs outside, making everyone aware of the change.

Anything from cigarettes, pipes or cigars are now off limits both in and outside of Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital.

"It was important for us as a health care facility to set an example not only for us, but for patients in the entire community as well," said Becky Sullivan.

It is something the hospital has prepared for, for about a year now.
They have even removed a smoke hut used by employees on their breaks.

"We know as smokers it is going to happen sometime. I think the big thing is just keeping it out of your mind," said employee Ron Hoagland.

It is something Hoagland hopes he will not have a problem doing.
He has smoked for 36 years and typically has 2 cigarettes in the morning and two in the afternoon. Despite his habit, he says happy to have the new policy in place.

"It is going to help me. I have cut down a lot since I even started working here 3 1/2 years ago. This will really cut it down a lot more," said Hoagland.

But there is also help for smokers who do not want to quit and may have a tough time getting acclimated to the new policy.

"We have tobacco classes that we offer we have group. We also have individual classes again employees have the opportunity to do that at no cost to them and then we just provide info for them letting them know what is out there as far as nice replacement therapies. Get them through the day," said Sullivan.

There are also classes for smokers who want to quit. All classes are available to the public as well, but there is a fee. See the info below:

Freedom From Smoking - $65

Intervent Tobacco Sensation - 125

Call 461-5105 for more information.

Attached Files: 1120SMOKEFREE.jpg 


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