December 22, 2008
Starting January 1, Weatherford Regional will be totally tobacco free.
WEATHERFORD, TX — As part of our ongoing commitment to the health and well-being of our patients, visitors, medical staff, employees, volunteers and communities, Weatherford Regional Medical Center (WRMC) is proud to announce that effective January 1, 2009, we will become a totally tobacco-free facility.
As a result of the new tobacco-free campus, patients, employees, visitors, volunteers and physicians will not be allowed to smoke on any property or in vehicles owned by WRMC or in vehicles parked on hospital grounds. “As a community provider of healthcare services, we have a responsibility to promote health and wellness and to provide a tobacco-free environment,” says Donnie L. Romine, WRMC Chief Executive Officer.
According the American Cancer Society, when a smoker quits, the health benefits start within the first 20 minutes because your heart rate and blood pressure drops. Other key benefits that occur at various time points after quitting are:
• At 12 hours: The carbon monoxide level drops to normal.
• After 2 weeks to 3 months: Circulation improves and lung function increases.
• After 1 to 9 months: Coughing and shortness of breath decrease. The cilia (tiny hair-like structures that move mucus out of the lungs) regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs and reduce the risk of infection.
• After 1 year: The excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s.
• After 5 years: Stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker.
• After 10 years: The lung cancer death rate is about half that of a continuing smoker’s. The risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix and pancreas decreases.
• After 15 years: The risk of coronary heart disease is that of a non-smoker’s.
Since this change may be difficult for some people, smoking-cessation resources are available for employees and community members through WRMC. For more information about smoking-cessation resources available, please call 817-599-1144.