NORFOLK
The medical campus containing Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters and Eastern Virginia Medical School will become tobacco-free effective Jan. 1, officials announced Wednesday.
Employees, patients and visitors will not be allowed to smoke or chew tobacco either inside or outside the buildings, including in their vehicles in parking lots.
In the coming months, Sentara, CHKD and EVMS will offer programs to help people quit in advance of the deadline. Nicotine gum will be available for visitors to the campus.
The move follows a trend of tobacco-free medical campuses. Earlier this year, other facilities in Hampton Roads, including Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital and Sentara Princess Anne, banned tobacco use.
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I don't understand
I don't understand why insurance will pay for cancer treatments but not any medications to assist a person to quit smoking. Sounds fishy to me!
Sentara's rights
Thank you Sentara for again looking out for the human body. Since Sentara is a private corporation, they can do as they wish on their property, whether the smokers like it or not. There's a nice waterfront park across the street, on the water, with a nice view, rarely used by anyone. Smokers can go there. The walk will do their lungs good. If you don't like the rules at Sentara, stay home and let your lungs rot.
Not in your car in the parking lot?
I see a law suit in the making and if I did smoke and wanted a cigareete, they would not stop me from smoking it in my own vehicle. I think that's stretching it a bit to far!
im a non-smoker ...
I'm a non-smoker, but banned in their own cars? As long as they aren't throwing the used butts on the ground when they are done what's wrong with someone smoking in their own vehicle? Is this really going to be enforced?
yeah, but in their cars?
I detest inhaling someone else's smoke as much as any nonsmoker, but I think banning smoking IN YOUR CAR on the premises is a little heavy handed. Why not let someone smoke in their car, as long as the windows were rolled up?
How could Norfolk's Most Elegent Gentlemen
....Paul "Pass me another porkchop" Riddick let this happen???
They've got a choice
If the right to smoke is truly more important to a family than prompt medical treatment for a loved one people can always choose to take the extra time to drive somewhere else. Maybe that will put thing in perspective.
Great news. Now how about restaurants?
I won't be happy until smoking is only allowed in single family detached dwellings - and only if they smoke with their windows closed. Oh, and if a smoker gets cancer or any other smoking-related illness health insurance should not pay for treatment. I resent paying for the lazy, the stupid, the fatties, and the filthy smokers.
Bout time
Too bad the ban doesn't start sooner. I expect to see attacks from the usual posters any time. Put simply: you don't have a right to give me cancer. It's disgusting. It's filthy. It makes you stink. Finally, a bus shelter I'll be able to breath at.
Another one bites the dust (or smoke)...
Wooo-hooo, the trend continues!!! I can't wait for the day I don't have to inhale someone else's bad habit. Losers = Smokers!!!