Fact Sheet
Southlake goes Smoke-Free April 1, 2009

Southlake is going “Smoke Free?”
When will Southlake go Smoke Free?
Smoking statistics: Did you know…?
Second-Hand Smoking Statistics:
Quitting Smoking:
Why Quit?
Suggested Links

Media Release

Southlake is going “Smoke Free?”

At Southlake it is our number one priority to ensure maximum health to everyone we care for, and that includes our patients, staff, physicians, and volunteers.  To ensure health and overall wellness, smoking will be prohibited —inside and out—on Southlake property as of April 1, 2009. This new initiative will coincide with the opening of the Regional Cancer Centre at Southlake, which is set to open in the fall.

When will Southlake go Smoke Free?

On April 1, 2009, all smoking areas will be removed from Southlake property. All Southlake staff, patients, and visitors will be required to abide by the new rules and regulations that will support an overall healthier hospital environment for everyone. Anyone wishing to smoke will be asked to remove themselves off of Southlake property (including parking lot.) Patients wishing to smoke will have to be escorted by a family member or friend. Hospital Security Staff will be on site to ensure Southlake’s property remains smoke free. Your patience throughout this time will be greatly appreciated.

In order to encourage and support our staff, physicians, and volunteers to quit smoking, Southlake is offering:

• Smoking cessation support and education
• Lunch and learn sessions
• Incentive programs
• Support groups and external support

In order to support patients who smoke or who wish to quit smoking, The Smoke Free Committee is working with clinical areas, and will offer:

• Nicotine replacement therapy
• Withdrawal management
• Counselling

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
• 300 non-smokers will die of lung cancer and at least 700 non-smokers will die of coronary heart disease caused by exposure to second-hand smoke

Second-Hand Smoking Statistics:

• Each year, more than 1,000 non-smoking Canadians die from second-hand smoke
• Second-hand smoke causes sore eyes and throat, nasal irritation, headaches, coughing and wheezing, nausea and dizziness
• Breathing in second-hand smoke can also trigger asthma attacks and increase your chances of getting bronchitis and pneumonia
• Non-smokers who are regularly exposed to second-hand smoke have a higher risk of contracting lung cancer and heart disease.  Increased chances of cancer of the sinuses, brain, breast, uterine, cervix, thyroid, as well as leukemia and lymphoma are also noted

Quitting Smoking:

• Last year more than one-half million Canadians quit smoking (513 426 people)
• On average it takes 3.1 attempts before someone quits smoking
• More than half of Canadians who smoked at one time have now successfully quit smoking
• Most smokers – men and women – are intending to quit in the next 6 months

Why Quit?

• Within 8 hours of quitting smoking, carbon monoxide levels drop in your body and oxygen levels in your blood increases
• After 2 days, your sense of smell and taste begin to improve
• Within 2 weeks to 3 months, your lungs work better making it easier to breathe
• After 6 months, coughing, sinus congestion, tiredness and shortness of breath improve.
• Within 1 year of quitting, your risk of a smoking-related heart attack is reduced by half

Suggested Links:

For more information on how to quit smoking, contact the Canadian Smokers’ Helpline at 1 877-513-5333. 

www.cancer.ca
www.smoke-free.ca
www.lung.ca
www.york.ca/Tobacco.htm

Top