Smoke-Free Campuses

Hospitals and health care centers

Around Washington state and the nation, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and rehabilitation centers are going tobacco-free. Mayo Clinic and SSM Healthcare are just two national hospitals that have adopted comprehensive smoke-free policies on their campuses.

The Washington Health Foundation has developed a toolkit with a step-by-step process to help hospitals and health systems go tobacco-free. The guide includes information on:

• Becoming and Remaining Tobacco-Free
• Working with Employees
• Working with Patients
• Working with Visitors
• Working in the Community

Visit the Washington Health Foundation to learn more and download the toolkit.

Americans for Non-Smokers' Rights estimates that more than 1,219 state hospitals around the country have adopted 100 percent smoke-free policies. In Washington state, the following hospitals and health care centers have gone smoke-free:

• Kadlec Medical Center
• Peace Health
• Jefferson Healthcare
• Harrison Hospital
• Mid-Valley Hospital in Omak
• Skagit Valley Hospital
• Cascade Valley Hospital
• Providence Everett Medical Center
• Stevens Hospital
• Othello Community Hospital
• Moses Lake Clinic
• Virginia Mason
• Swedish Hospital
• Northwest Hospital
• Harborview Hospital
• Mason General Hospital
• Group Health Cooperative
• Multicare, Franciscan & Good Samaritan Hospitals
• St. Joseph Hospital
• Seattle Cancer Care Alliance

Colleges and universities

Citing the positive outcomes for all community members — including health, productivity, and reduced insurance costs — many colleges and universities around the country have begun prohibiting smoking on their campuses.

Campus policies range from smoke-free educational buildings, to smoke-free residence buildings, to 100 percent smoke-free campuses. Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights estimates that at least 110 campuses around the nation have comprehensive smoke-free policies in place with no exemptions, including small liberal arts schools and large state schools.

In Washington state, both the University of Washington and Washington State University have policies prohibiting smoking in campus residential buildings. In November of 2005, Clark College became the first college in Washington to adopt a 100 percent smoke-free policy.

• Last Updated: 12/30/10

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