Anne Arundel Medical Center Won't Hire Smokers In The Future

Anne Arundel Medical Center has a new employment policy: it will no longer hire smokers.

The medical center says it's been smoke free since 2007 but wants to provide a safe and healthy environment, and promote the health and well-being of its employees. The Maryland hospital's new employment policy goes into effect in July of next year. Officials say the policy won't apply to smokers who are already working for the hospital.

Starting next month, the use of all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, will be banned at all the hospital's facilities.

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(Annapolis, Md. June 18, 2014)—Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) is leading Maryland hospitals by reinforcing its commitment to wellness and the fight against tobacco usage with an expanded tobacco policy.

Effective July 1, 2014, the revised policy prohibits the use of all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes One year later, starting July 1, 2015, Anne Arundel Medical Center will take a leadership position as a major employer in Maryland and stop hiring nicotine users.

While Anne Arundel Medical Center has been “smoke-free” since 2007, the current policy has been primarily focused on the medical park campus has been limited to cigarette use. The expanded policy will apply to all AAMC facilities and tobacco-free zones will include sidewalks, parking lots and garages. There will be no areas designated for smoking or other tobacco use. The policy applies to all employees, physicians, patients, contract staff, vendors, volunteers, students, and visitors at all AAMC facilities.

“Going tobacco-free is a global public health goal. Smoking and tobacco use are the leading cause of preventable death worldwide,” says Stephen Cattaneo, MD, medical director of thoracic oncology in the DeCesaris Cancer Institute at AAMC. “We are not only dedicated to the preservation of health and prevention of disease, but we also want to provide a safe and healthy work environment and promote the health and well-being of our employees, visitors and patients,” he adds.

“As healthcare providers, we have a unique perspective on the issues surrounding chronic disease. We not only treat disease, but we are also role models for good health behaviors in our community. It is only right to practice what we preach,” adds John Martin, MD, AAMC’s medical director of vascular surgery.

The revised policy also means that starting July 1, 2015 the hospital will not hire individuals who use tobacco products. This policy does not apply to current employees who use tobacco. “By adopting this practice, we are joining many other prominent organizations, such as the Cleveland Clinic, Geisinger Health System and the World Health Organization in becoming tobacco-free,” notes Dr. Cattaneo.

AAMC provides tobacco cessation resources to community members—including employees—who want help quitting. Free resources include classes and private one-on-one sessions with tobacco treatment specialists, as well as FDA-approved nicotine replacement therapies at free or reduced cost.