On February 14, 1999, the University of Michigan Health System (Hospitals and Health Centers, Medical School and MCARE) and School of Nursing adopted a smoke-free environment policy. Smoking is prohibited both indoors and outdoors on all properties owned by the Health System and School of Nursing. . If you have any questions or comments regarding our policy please click here or email quitsmoking@med.umich.edu Your feedback is important to us.
Below are some of the frequently asked questions regarding our smoke-free policy.
Q: Why is the University of Michigan Health System (UMHS) Smoke-free?
A: UMHS is dedicated to working with local and state partners to build healthy communities; a smoke-free setting is a big step in that direction. UMHS is committed to wellness and prevention as well as treatment. We seek to set a good example to all who come here by removing the presence of smoking.
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Q: Why was smoking picked instead of other health risks?
A: Here are a few facts:
- Smoking is the number one reason for avoidable illness and death.
- Over 440,000 people die each year from smoking related diseases. This is more than all alcohol, cocaine, crack, heroin, homicide, suicide, car crash, fire, and AIDS deaths together.
- Smoking is a factor in heart disease, cancer, stroke, and lung disease.
- Smoking costs the U. S. $96.7 billion each year in public and private healthcare expenditures.
- U.S. loses $97.6 in productivity from smoking.
- Patients who smoke before surgery have twice the risk of infection of nonsmokers.
- Smoking slows healing after surgery.
- A smoker’s broken bones take almost twice as long to heal
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Q: What if I do not want to quit smoking?
A: Our policy is not meant to “make” anyone quit. Our policy has two goals: 1.) Remove smoking from our property so we can better help those who are trying to quit smoking while they are here, and 2.) Make a clear statement that good health and healthcare do not include the use of tobacco.
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Q: Where can I smoke?
A: You can smoke outside of the smoke-free border. You can get a map of our smoke-free area at any information or help desk. Visitors can also smoke in their vehicles. We ask that you do not smoke in the parking structures unless you are inside of your car. Click here for map
All employees who see patients and visitors smoking on our property should be courteous in informing them of the smoke-free policy.
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Q: How does the smoking cessation program work?
A: For individuals interested in assistance to quit smoking, there are several options to choose. All programs are free of charge for employees, and to patients with UMHS physician referral. All others $100 for entire seven week class.
Every month at least one quit smoking group is offered. This format meets eight times in seven weeks. The first three weeks are spent preparing to quit, the fourth session is quit night, and the last four sessions are spent on staying quit. The advantages of the group format are a larger support base from other group members going through the same process as well as drawing from a broader range of experiences when developing cessation coping strategies.
For those who feel a group experience does not suit them, there is individual counseling available. Individuals or couples can meet with a counselor for up to five, 50-minute sessions. The advantage of individual sessions is the focus is entirely on the individual and allows for greater flexibility in scheduling appointments.
For more information or to register click HERE.
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Here are a few good tips if you are ready to quit smoking.
Set a quit date.
Tell family, friends, and
co-workers of your quit plan.
Ask for help.
Get rid of all tobacco items
Break the tobacco pattern
Know your triggers
Drink lots of juice and water
use hard candy or gum
Keep your hands busy
Begin an excercise plan
Reward yourself
Don't be discouraged. You can do it!
Remember...
Never quit quitting!
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