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Smoke-free Campus Initiative

The American Cancer Society reports that in the United States alone, tobacco causes 30 percent of all cancer deaths and 440,000 premature deaths annually. Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death, while second-hand smoke is listed as third. The Illinois Department of Public Health projects more than 7,000 Illinois residents will die of lung cancer this year. In conjunction with the City of Chicago’s Smoke-Free Chicago campaign, the Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council strongly encourages its members to consider implementing a smoke-free campus policy. In doing so, MCHC and its members will reaffirm for the public, our communities, policy makers and others our commitment to maintaining and improving public health.

As the Great American Smoke Out approaches on November 16, 2006, MCHC is sharing the enclosed tool kit materials to assist metropolitan Chicago-area health care organizations in beginning to implement smoke-free environments on their premises. In the coming year, MCHC will sponsor meetings, educational sessions and other opportunities for members to exchange and dialogue about their collective efforts and resources.

We realize that this is a major commitment that will require time for planning. It is our hope that by the Great American Smoke Out in November 2007, MCHC members will have either implemented or be in the process of implementing a smoke-free campus policy.

The full tool kit and materials are availiable to members only by logging into the members-only area.

If you have any questions about the Smoke-Free Campus Initiative or the tool kit materials, please feel free to contact Gary L. Drain, Human Resources, at 312-906-6026 or Liz Leonard, Public Affairs, at 312-906-6142.