County Health Dept. Expands No Smoking Zone
Press release
courtesy of
Christie L. Green
Madison County Health Department
MADISON COUNTY - Tobacco users wanting a quick smoke while on property owned by the Madison County Health Department will have to do so in their vehicles, according to a new policy.
Beginning July 1, 2009, the health department will ask visitors and employees at health department facilities
to confine smoking and other tobacco use to their private automobiles.
Madison County Health Department’s interior spaces have been smoke-free for many years. But in April, the Board of Health voted to expand the reach of the agency’s tobacco free environment to include areas outside the buildings, such as parking lots, sidewalks, and green spaces.
“In the spirit of recent tobacco-free policies at other health care organizations, we want to ensure an environment where no one is exposed to secondhand smoke in any of our agency’s public spaces,” said Jim Rousey, public health director.
If MCHD employees observe someone smoking outside the buildings, they will ask them to smoke in their car. There are no fines or repercussions associated with the policy.
The Board of Health also included cessation assistance for Health Department employees who smoke. MCHD will reimburse employees for the cost of nicotine replacement products, such as patches or gum, or for medications to help them quit, such as buproprion or varenicline.
For more information, contact Richmond or Berea Clinics. In Richmond, call 859-623-7312. In Berea, call 859-986-1192.
courtesy of
Christie L. Green
Madison County Health Department
MADISON COUNTY - Tobacco users wanting a quick smoke while on property owned by the Madison County Health Department will have to do so in their vehicles, according to a new policy.
Beginning July 1, 2009, the health department will ask visitors and employees at health department facilities
to confine smoking and other tobacco use to their private automobiles.
Madison County Health Department’s interior spaces have been smoke-free for many years. But in April, the Board of Health voted to expand the reach of the agency’s tobacco free environment to include areas outside the buildings, such as parking lots, sidewalks, and green spaces.
“In the spirit of recent tobacco-free policies at other health care organizations, we want to ensure an environment where no one is exposed to secondhand smoke in any of our agency’s public spaces,” said Jim Rousey, public health director.
If MCHD employees observe someone smoking outside the buildings, they will ask them to smoke in their car. There are no fines or repercussions associated with the policy.
The Board of Health also included cessation assistance for Health Department employees who smoke. MCHD will reimburse employees for the cost of nicotine replacement products, such as patches or gum, or for medications to help them quit, such as buproprion or varenicline.
For more information, contact Richmond or Berea Clinics. In Richmond, call 859-623-7312. In Berea, call 859-986-1192.