Smoke-Free Campus

Blessing is a Smoke-Free Campus
In an effort to provide healthy environments for its patients, visitors, physicians and employees, all Blessing Corporate Services health care entities are smoke-free effective November 16, 2006. The smoke-free initiative includes all buildings, covered walkways and parking areas, and all streets and sidewalks adjacent to Blessing property. All patients will be informed of the Hospital's smoke-free policy upon admission and educational materials and resources will be provided. 

"As healthcare professionals, we have a responsibility to lead by example," said Maureen Kahn, president/CEO, Blessing Hospital. "We see this as an opportunity to support what the Hospital is all about, and that is providing a healthy environment that fosters healing."

Smoking Cessation Counseling
Blessing offers individual smoking cessation counseling for those interested in kicking the habit. Participants will also receive a workbook to help guide them through the quitting process. For more information about the counseling program, please call Blessing Hospital at (217) 223-8400, ext. 4496. 

Good Reasons for Quitting
Nicotine is a powerful addiction. Quitting is hard, but don't give up. Many people try two to three times before they quit for good. Each time you try to quit, the more likely you will be to succeed. Consider these reasons for quitting:

• You will live longer and live healthier.
• The people you live with, especially your children, will be healthier.
• You will have more energy and breathe easier.
• You will lower your risk of heart attack, stroke or cancer.

Tips to Help You Quit

• Talk to your doctor about a plan for quitting.
• Get rid of ALL cigarettes and ashtrays in your home, car or workplace.
• Ask your family, friends and coworkers for support.
• Stay in nonsmoking areas.
• Breathe in deeply when you feel the urge to smoke.
• Keep yourself busy.
• Reward yourself often.
• Quit and Save Yourself Money - at $3.00 per pack, if you smoke one pack per day, you will save $1,100 each year and $11,000 in 10 years. Think about all the other things you could do with your money.

Health Benefits from Quitting Smoking
Based on data collected from 1995 to 1999, the Centers for Disease Control estimated that adult male smokers lost an average of 13.2 years of life and female adult smokers lost 14.5 years of life because of smoking. Quitting smoking has proven health benefits, even at a late age. Here are the health benefits over time:

• 20 minutes after quitting....Your blood pressure drops to a level close to that before the last cigarette.
• 8 hours after quitting....The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
• 24 hours after quitting...Your chance of a heart attack decreases.
• 2 weeks to 3 months after quitting...Your circulation improves and lung function increases up to 30 percent.
• 1 to 9 months after quitting...Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath decrease.
• 1 year after quitting...The excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker's.
• 5 to 15 years after quitting...Your risk of stroke and heart disease becomes about the same as a non-smoker's. Risk of dying from lung cancer is cut in half.

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