PNC Campus to Become Tobacco Free November 15

(l-r): Dave Ruskowski, president Saint Anthony Memorial; Dr. James B. Dworkin, chancellor, Purdue University North Central; Michael Haley, president and CEO of LaPorte Regional Health System; Todd Laux, PNC Wellness Coordinator

WESTVILLE – Purdue University North Central Chancellor James B. Dworkin today announced that the Purdue University North Central campus will become a totally tobacco-free environment on November 15. The announcement was made as part of a joint news conference today with PNC, LaPorte Regional Health System and Saint Anthony Memorial in Michigan City coming together on the PNC campus. The tobacco-free date was chosen to coincide with the American Cancer Society Great American Smoke Out.

A year ago, LaPorte Regional Health System and Saint Anthony Memorial made public their joint intent to transition to tobacco-free properties on November 15, 2007. Thus CEOs Mike Haley and Dave Ruskowski participated with Chancellor Dworkin in the news conference.

PNC becomes the first Purdue campus to completely ban smoking. PNC, like the other Purdue campuses, had previously confined smoking to designated areas on campus. The decision to completely ban smoking at PNC evolved as a result of concerns about exposure to secondhand smoke that were voiced during the past few years by students, faculty and staff, explained Dworkin.

A number of meetings were held and many discussions were devoted to the topic of whether PNC should become a tobacco-free campus to ensure that PNC students, faculty and staff had an opportunity to have their opinions heard.

The new PNC policy bans smoking on any PNC property. This includes PNC – Porter County in Valparaiso. Smoking is also prohibited in all PNC-owned vehicles and students and visitors may not smoke in their vehicles while they are on campus, according to Dworkin. This policy also applies to the use of all tobacco products, including smokeless tobacco. The PNC Police Department will have the authority to enforce this policy.

“Purdue North Central is committed to providing a healthy, productive and supportive environment for students, faculty, staff and university guests and visitors,” said Dworkin. He noted that findings by various government agencies support the growing trend for public facilities to become tobacco-free.

“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke; the Americans with Disabilities Act requires that persons with disabilities have access to public places and workplaces and deems impaired respiratory function to be a disability; and the U.S. Surgeon General determined that the simple separation of smokers and nonsmokers within the same air space may reduce, but does not eliminate, the exposure of nonsmokers to secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke is the third leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. and causes more than 53,000 premature deaths annually in nonsmokers.”

According to Michael Haley, president and CEO of LaPorte Regional Health System, “The driving force for La Porte Regional Health System to become tobacco-free on all its properties is the overwhelming social and scientific evidence that smoking and second-hand smoke are harmful. As a healthcare organization committed to improving the health and well being of the community, we choose to recognize this and create a healthier environment for all who enter our properties.”

Dave Ruskowski, president Saint Anthony Memorial added, "Saint Anthony Memorial is committed to the health and wellness of the community and patients served.  I believe that it is important to set an example for the community and patients. We are proud to be tobacco free effective November 15, 2007."

Smoking cessation information is available to all through the PNC Wellness Office in the Human Resources Department or on the web at www.pnc.edu/stopsmoking.

The Wellness Resource Center at The Crossing of La Porte Hospital offers FREE tobacco cessation group programs and one-on-one sessions. Program dates and times can be found at www.laportehealth.org or by calling (219) 326-2480.

Saint Anthony Memorial offers smoking cessation programs and assistance via group classes and individual counseling. A session of "No, Ifs ands or Butts" is underway at HealthPartners in Michigan City. For more information or to register for future sessions, call (219) 861-8712.

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