St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka will officially become a smoke-free campus on July 18, 2008 in an effort to provide North Coast residents with the healthiest healing environment possible. The kickoff date coincides appropriately with the Humboldt County Relay for Life event.

St. Joseph Hospital will join Redwood Memorial Hospital in Fortuna, which went smoke-free in July 2006, and many other hospitals around the nation. As of April 1, 2008, more than 1,200 hospitals and clinics nationwide have switched to smoke-free in an effort to protect all employees, visitors and patients from second-hand smoke exposure on hospital grounds.

According to the American Heart Association, cigarette smoking is the most preventable cause of premature death in the United States. Every year, more than 440,000 people die from smoking-related diseases. Cigarette smokers have a higher risk of developing several chronic diseases, including certain types of cancer and lung problems. Studies also show that second-hand smoke contributes to these problems in non-smokers.

"We know that using tobacco products can lead to serious health complications," said SJH COO/CNO Bob Brannigan. "As a health care facility, it is natural that we take steps to protect the health of everyone at St. Joseph Hospital. So, beginning July 18, we are asking everyone - staff, physicians and visitors - to refrain from using tobacco products anywhere on the St. Joseph Hospital or General Hospital campuses."

To help patients, visitors and staff adjust to this new policy, SJH will distribute educational information on areas where smoking is permitted, as well as resources designed to help those interested in quitting.

"We are not trying to force anyone to quit," Brannigan explained. "We're just trying to create the healthiest healing environment possible for everyone, and that means no smoking on campus."

The kickoff date for the hospital's smoke-free policy coincides with the American Cancer Society Relay for Life in Humboldt County, which raises money to support cancer research, and this year, as in years past, St. Joseph Health System - Humboldt County is serving as a corporate sponsor for the event.