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Fresh as a Daisy:
Southlake goes Smoke-Free April 1, 2009

Newmarket, Ontario – May 20, 2008 - Everyone has heard the saying “fresh as a daisy,” but what does it mean? At Southlake, it means Smoke-free. Southlake Regional Health Centre is launching an information and education campaign to go smoke-free as of April 1, 2009. This campaign will coincide with the opening of the Regional Cancer Centre at Southlake in the fall of 2009. 

“Southlake is a recognized leader in delivery of high quality healthcare services,” says Dr. Louis Balogh, Vice President, Regional Cardiac and Cancer Care Programs at Southlake. “And, as such, we believe that an essential component of delivering quality care is the recognition and emphasis on disease prevention.”

To assist staff, physicians, students, and volunteers to quit smoking, Southlake is making smoking cessation support and education available on site. As well, Southlake will offer information packages to assist those who wish to access an external support system.  A number of initiatives will be offered throughout the next year to support the campaign, including lunch and learn sessions, support groups, and an incentive program.

The Smoke Free committee is working with clinical areas to produce medical directives. These directives will help patients who wish to quit smoking as well as offer support to reduce cravings and to assist throughout withdrawal management.

“The good news is that according to Smoke Free Ontario, the success rate for quitting is increasing and many people are breaking the habit for life,” states Angela Trevivian-Goodbrand, Co-Chair of Southlake’s Smoke Free Committee. “We understand how challenging it can be to quit and we want to make our staff, physicians, volunteers, and patients as comfortable as possible throughout the quitting process.”

Smoking statistics: Did you know…?

• The Ontario government spends $817,733,502 on acute care hospitalization for both active and passive smokers.
• It costs over $2,000 a year, to smoke a pack of cigarettes a day.
• Tobacco kills approximately 37,000 Canadians each year.
• Diseases caused by second-hand smoke include: Heart Disease, Lung Cancer, Nasal Sinus Cancer and Non-Malignant Respiratory Disease.

Additional information about Southlake’s Smoke-Free Campaign can be found by visiting our website at www.southlakeregional.org

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