1. Georgia Tobacco-Free Hospital Initiative Because it’s the right thing to do.

2. Objectives This presentation has three objectives: –To explain why we’re going tobacco-free –To let you know what to expect –To answer your questions

3. Why Tobacco-Free? A hospital should help people stay healthy. We want to provide a healthy place for you to get well. It’s the right thing to do!

4. Georgians and Tobacco 1.3 million adults in Georgia smoke cigarettes 25,000 middle school students smoke 73,000 high school students smoke Northwest and Southeast Georgia have the highest smoking rates.

5. Mortality and Morbidity Over 10,000 Georgians die every year from smoking related illnesses. Adult smokers lose an average of 16 years of life compared to non- smokers.

6. Smoking and Pregnancy Women who smoke: Are twice as likely to have trouble getting pregnant Have a 30% higher chance of not being able to get pregnant Are twice as likely to have a premature rupture of the membranes.

7. Pregnant Mothers have… Intrauterine (inside the uterus) growth delay Higher chance of pre-term labor Premature rupture of membranes (water bag), which may lead to pre-term delivery or an infection affecting the baby Increased rates of stillbirths, miscarriages, and ectopic (outside the uterus) pregnancy Complications during delivery

8. And the Baby…. Is more likely to be born too soon Is smaller Is 1.4 to 3.0 times more likely to die of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

9. Secondhand Smoke It hurts you. It doesn’t take much. It doesn’t take long.

10. And it’s not just smoking… Smokeless tobacco has 28 cancer- causing agents. Increases your risk of getting cancer of the oral cavity, throat, larynx, and esophagus. Smokeless tobacco users get 2 to 3 times as much nicotine as those who smoke cigarettes (National Cancer Institute)

11. The bottom line… Smoking kills more people than alcohol, AIDS, motor vehicle accidents, illegal drugs, murders, and suicides COMBINED.

12. Hospitals are Healthy Places Tobacco kills people. Hospitals save people. They DON’T go together.

13. What to Expect All ash cans or other receptacles will be removed. Signs will be posted. Tobacco cessation information will be provided. Tobacco cessation products will be available in the gift shop.

14. What Should You Do? If you are a patient, ask your nurse or doctor about what cessation services are available. If you are a visitor, ask at our information desk about what is available to help you.

15. What if you ignore the signs? 1.You will be counseled 2.You will be given a card with information about cessation services 3.If you continue to use tobacco products on campus, you will be escorted off campus.

16. Why are you making me quit? We are not trying to force anyone to quit. We are trying to provide a safe and healthy place for people who need our help.

17. Questions? We don’t have all the answers – this is a work in progress.

18. Conclusion Thank you for helping us to DO THE RIGHT THING!