Inova Health System Going Tobacco-Free

Smoking, Tobacco Use Will No Longer Be Permitted at Facilities or on Grounds of Inova Hospitals, Offices

Falls Church, VA – (October 5, 2007) – On November 15, 2007, Inova Health System will make all of its campuses tobacco-free, joining more than 400 other hospitals nationwide that have similar policies in place. Tobacco use will no longer be permitted by physicians, staff, patients and visitors at Inova hospitals or on surrounding campuses. The implementation date will coincide with the American Cancer Society’s “Great American Smokeout.”

“Our commitment to Inova’s mission to improve the health of the communities we serve is the primary consideration in the decision to make Inova campuses tobacco-free,” said Knox Singleton, president and CEO, Inova Health System.  “Inova’s dedicated to being a great place to work, a health system that protects our community’s well being, and a system that’s the best provider of care to our patients and their families.”

According to the American Cancer Society, tobacco use can lead to heart disease, stroke and cancer, and be dangerous to pregnant women.

“Allowing smoking promotes a habit that causes major health problems and that’s counterintuitive to what we are about – promoting good health and health care,” Singleton added.

Inova Health System treats more cancer, stroke and heart disease than any other provider in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and cares for more new mothers than any other provider. As part of the new policy, Inova will be providing ample resources to community members, patients and staff to assist those who wish to stop using tobacco, including tobacco-cessation education materials and support programs.

Inova Health System is a not-for-profit health care system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency and urgent care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community we serve through excellence in patient care, education and research.