Effective July 1, 2013 the Sunrise Health Region has announced it is launching its "Respect the Boundaries" tobacco free initiative. Use of all tobacco products will now be prohibited in health facilities, on grounds and in parking lots.
"Our vision is working together... for healthy people in healthy communities," says President and CEO Suann Laurent. "Research indicates that smoking and tobacco products have many negative impacts on health and we are committed to promoting a healthy lifestyle for everyone in our region."
Clients, visitors and staff will be required to leave health region property to use tobacco products. Inpatients will be required to sign a waiver before leaving the property, should they choose to continue using tobacco products while in the care of a health facility. Previous exceptions for long-term care residents will continue to apply. Hospital inpatients will have the opportunity to access tobacco cessation products during their stay in a Sunrise Health Region facility. Education and options will be provided at the time of admission. A variety of supports are available for individuals who wish to quit tobacco products, including:
Visit www.sunrisehealthregion.sk.ca, www.breakitoff.ca, www.makeapact.ca, www.cancer.ca for extensive information on quitting tobacco products.
Sunrise Health Region has one of the highest averages of smoking rate in the province at 21.7 per cent.
