After 17 years of being a smoke-free hospital, the Regional Medical Center is taking this a step further and will become a totally smoke-free campus beginning May 31, which is observed as World No Tobacco Day.

Smoking is incompatible with a hospital facility’s mission of good health, and as the community’s healthcare partner, TRMC strives to lead the way in encouraging the community to not smoke. “We at TRMC are committed to protecting the health of our patients, visitors and the entire TRMC family from the hazardous effects of second-hand smoke,” commented TRMC President Tom Dandridge.

“I applaud our medical center’s commitment to providing an environment that promotes a healthier community,” said Dr. John Hutto, chief of TRMC’s medical staff.

TRMC was the fourth hospital to join the South Carolina Hospital Association’s movement toward being smoke-free by 1990 with the initiation of a smoke-free policy that banned smoking within the medical center, effective April 2, 1989.

“TRMC was a leader in the quest for hospitals to become smoke-free by 1990 and is one of a few South Carolina hospitals that had not yet taken the smoke-free policy to the next level. For the health and well being of our community, we are doing just that,” said Gene Walter, TRMC’s director of safety and security. Walter, a smoker for more than 35 years, explained that he is working diligently on kicking his unhealthy habit. “Besides giving up cigarettes, most people need to change other behaviors like either starting or re-energizing an exercise program. That is a much healthier stress-relief alternative to smoking, and a great habit to start! There are numerous aids and methods to help smokers stop their unhealthy habit,” he said.

“As a healthcare leader for our community, TRMC has a responsibility to inform and educate our community members on the dangers of smoking,” added Brenda Williams, vice president. “As a former smoker, I understand the difficulty in quitting this unhealthy habit and encourage smokers to seek assistance. TRMC’s decision to go smoke-free is a stand for the health and well being of our patients, their families and friends, and our staff. It is also important for the overall health of our community. This progression to become a totally smoke-free campus on May 31 completes the process we began 17 years ago when the hospital banned smoking within the facility.”

If you need help to quit smoking, ask your physician for guidance. For information about smoking cessation classes, please contact TRMC’s Wellness Department at 395-2804.