The Commercial-News, Danville, IL

Local News

August 4, 2009

Provena campus goes smoke-free

DANVILLE — Provena United Samaritans Medical Center has not allowed smoking within the hospital or within 15 feet of its entrances for some time.

Now the medical center will become a tobacco-free campus on Nov. 19. The move is being made in conjunction with the annual American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout, according to a Provena press release.

With the implementation of this policy, the use of all tobacco products will not be allowed inside or outside on the campus, including the parking lots, or at any building owned, leased or operated by the hospital, to ensure a healthier environment.

"As a leader in the community, it is important for the residents to understand that we are committed to providing the healthiest environment possible for patients, visitors, physicians, volunteers and employees," said Mike Brown, president/CEO of Provena United Samaritans, said in the release.

“As a health care organization, we believe it’s important to lead by example. We want people to know when they step onto our campus, they are entering a healthy, healing environment.”

“With cardiovascular disease and cancer being the leading causes of mortality in this county, we need to do all we can to help our citizens reduce their risk for these conditions” said Linda Bolton, spokesperson for the Vermilion County Health Department. “The Health Department commends the medical center for taking this proactive stand in this important public health issue and contributing to the efforts to promote a smoke-free community.”

While the focus of the initiative is to provide a healthier environment for those at the hospital, it also is to assist those who are interested in leading a healthier lifestyle. The hospital is not asking tobacco users to stop using tobacco; it is simply requesting that tobacco products not be used on their property to maintain a healthy atmosphere for those in and around the hospital.

Research shows that stopping smoking can lengthen people’s lives. A 50-year study of more than 34,000 male doctors found that quitting by age 40 can add about nine years to a man’s life. Quitting by age 50 add about six years to his life expectancy. Further, secondhand smoke is the third leading cause of preventable death in this country, killing about 65,000 nonsmokers in the U.S. each year. Secondhand smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, including 69 that cause cancer. Secondhand smoke is proven to aggravate asthma and increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases in children and adults.

Medical experts recommend tobacco users try one of these methods:

-- Set a quit date, and ask your family and friends for their support.

-- Once you quit, use nicotine replacement therapy or prescription medicine to boost your chances of success. Withdrawal is usually at its worst within one to three weeks after quitting.

-- Avoid people and places that make you crave cigarettes.

-- Talk to your doctor for more suggestions to help you stick with your healthier lifestyle.

For more information on how to quit smoking or about smoking cessation classes contact the Vermilion County Health Department at 431.2662, http://www.vchd.org or call the American Cancer Society’s Quitline, (877) 584-7848.

Text Only
Local News
  • City rummage sale nears

    May 28, 2012

  • Chase ends in crash

    Hoopeston Police Department chased a 16-year-old driving through McFerren Park early Sunday, with the chase ending at the base of a tree.

    May 28, 2012

  • Community Briefs

    The Danville Lions Club will meet at noon Tuesday at the Days Hotel, 77 N. Gilbert. The topic: “Know Your Lions.”

    May 28, 2012

  • Community Calendar

    Memorial Day ceremonies at area sites — 8:30 a.m., Curtis G. Redden gravesite in Spring Hill Cemetery; 9 a.m., World War I monument; 9:30 a.m., Korean War Memorial on Hazel; 9:30 a.m., Maj. Kenneth Bailey gravesite in Spring Hill Cemetery; 9:30 a.m., Jewell Whyte family site in Spring Hill Cemetery; 9:30 a.m., at the lagoon at the VA for all service people lost at sea; 9:45 a.m., Women’s Memorial behind the Vermilion County War Museum; 10:45 a.m., all veterans’ groups gather at the Danville National Cemetery.

    May 28, 2012

  • Tropical Storm Beryl strengthens, nears U.S. coast

    Tropical Storm Beryl was wrecking some Memorial Day weekend plans on Sunday, causing shoreline campers to pack up and head inland and leading to the cancellation of some events as the storm approached the southeastern U.S.

    May 27, 2012

  • CASA seeks volunteers

    May 27, 2012

  • Classes transition online

    May 27, 2012

  • AmyandRomanSchweizer1.jpg Dad welcomes baby — while a world away

    Like most fathers, Brandun Schweizer wanted to witness his first child’s birth. There was just one problem, however — he was thousands of miles away in Afghanistan.

    May 27, 2012 2 Photos

  • Veterans ask people to pause

    Although the Memorial Day weekend is a time for picnics and pool parties, veterans’ groups hope people pause to remember those who gave their lives in the line of duty, as well as others who have died.

    May 27, 2012

  • Martha Stewart learns family’s roots

    Television viewers have been treated to two series lately dealing with genealogy.

    May 27, 2012

E-edition
AP Video
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium 50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
NDN Video
Woman, 80, Falls Out of Skydive Harness Mid-Jump Dog runs alonside cyclists for 1,100 miles Lady Gaga Cancels Indonesian Show After Threats Obama Honors Fallen Troops at Arlington Cemetery Long Story Short: Beyonce back on stage Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD Raw Video: Man Rescued From River in China Celtics crush Sixers in Game 7 Alleged Lego Thief Faces Felony Charges Has Snooki Named Her Baby? Heat Wave Warms Holiday Weekend Beyonce Entertains the First Family Inspiration for the class of 2012 Colorado College Student Shot While Trespassing Will Smith & Josh Brolin on "Men in Black 3" 80-Year-Old Skydiver's Nightmare Jump JWoww Sizzles in a Black Bikini Sliders on the Grill Cruise ship crunch Backstage With Beyonce