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Effective November 20, 2008, Faith Regional Health Services will be tobacco-free.
No tobacco use of any kind will be permitted inside or anywhere on
the hospital’s campuses, including hospital and medical office buildings,
grounds, and parking areas.
Faith Regional’s primary mission is to protect the health of those in our community while promoting and supporting a community culture of healthy living. We are committed to providing the healthiest environment possible for our patients, employees, visitors, and volunteers. After careful consideration and consultation with peer hospitals and our own medical and administrative staff, the Faith Regional board of directors voted to approve this initiative.
According to Janet Pinkelman, director of human resources, visitors and employees are not being asked to stop using tobacco products; however, they will be required to refrain from tobacco use while on the hospital’s premises. “Over the course of the next several months, the Tobacco-Free Committee at Faith Regional will be looking at ways in which the organization can assist visitors and employees with transitioning to not using tobacco products while at any of our facilities,” stated Pinkelman.
Tobacco-free initiatives have the potential to improve the health of thousands, reduce health care costs, and generally contribute to community health improvement. In addition, a tobacco-free environment provides a cleaner workplace, decreased fire risk, decreased maintenance costs, and improved productivity. Faith Regional joins many other hospitals in Nebraska and other businesses in Norfolk by going tobacco-free.