Tobacco-Free Policies
A tobacco-free hospital is defined as having a written and posted policy that prohibits employees, patients, vendors, contractors and visitors from using any tobacco products anywhere on the property of the medical facility, including sidewalks, walkways, driveways and parking lots under the hospital's ownership or control.
Establishing a tobacoo-free environment in hospitals sets a clear example of good health practices; puts employees, patients and visitors first by providing a healthy, tobacco-free atmosphere; results in lower clean-up costs; encourages both employees and patients to quit tobacco use and lowers long-term health care costs.
Many hospitals across Ohio have already implemented policies to make their campuses tobacco-free. View a list of tobacco-free hospitals in Ohio.
If your hospital is looking to go tobacco-free, OHA has compiled a list of useful resources to help you in the process of eliminating tobacco from your campus.
Tell Your Local Legislators the Tax Hurts You
March 3, 2010:
OHA created templates letters for CEOs as well as hospital/health system employees to let local legislators know they are angry the hospital is paying a tax to the state when it could be using those funds to hire staff or expand the local economy. With a few simple clicks, the letters can be e-mailed or printed and mailed to local legislators.
View template letter from CEOs
View template letter from hospital/health system employee