A 'Great American Smokeout' Pledge - Long Island's Largest Employer to Ban Smoking on Hospital Premises

Don Distasio, top left, chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society (ACS), joined North Shore-LIJ Health System CEO Michael J. Dowling, as well as employees and clients of The Zucker Hillside Hospital in Glen Oaks to celebrate the 30th annual "Great American Smokeout" and announce a new partnership between North Shore-LIJ and ACS that will benefit cancer patients and family members. ACS will also assist the North Shore-LIJ Health System - the largest employer on Long Island and the ninth largest in New York City with a workforce of more than 37,000 - in creating smoke-free environments at 13 North Shore-LIJ hospitals in Nassau, Suffolk, Queens and Staten Island by January 2009, including outdoor areas of each campus. In commemoration of the annual 'Great American Smokeout', initiated 30 years ago by the American Cancer Society (ACS), the North Shore-Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Health System and ACS today announced the formation of a new partnership that will benefit cancer patients and family members.

As part of this new alliance, the two organizations will connect survivors at various stages of their cancer journey with community-based support and resources. ACS will also assist the North Shore-LIJ Health System - Long Island's largest employer with a workforce of more than 37,000 - in creating smoke-free environments at 13 North Shore-LIJ hospitals in Long Island, Queens and Staten Island by January 2009, including outdoor areas of each campus.

As a first step, the three hospitals that comprise LIJ Medical Center (LIJ Hospital, Schneider Children's Hospital and The Zucker Hillside Hospital) recently began imposing outdoor smoking restrictions, with a plan of having a ban in place throughout its 48-acre campus by January 2008. Only three other major employers on Long Island - CA in Islandia; Lockheed Martin Corp. in Uniondale; and OSI Pharmaceuticals in Melville - have policies in place prohibiting smoking on their premises.

"As the largest healthcare provider in the region, North Shore-LIJ has an obligation to provide a healthy environment for our patients, employees and visitors," Michael J. Dowling, president and chief executive officer of the North Shore-LIJ Health System, said at a news conference today at The Zucker Hillside Hospital in Glen Oaks, NY, where he was joined by ACS Eastern Division CEO Don Distasio. "By making our campuses smoke-free, we are addressing a major health risk - second-hand smoke."

According to the ACS, cigarette smoking accounts for at least 30 percent of all cancer deaths. In the United States alone, about 440,000 people die every year from smoking-related illnesses. "As a leader in healthcare, North Shore-Long Island Jewish is paving the way for all healthcare facilities to show their concern for their patients, family members and employees by initiating a smokefree curb to curb policy," said Mr. Distasio. "They should be congratulated on their leadership and commitment to the health of their constituents."

Mr. Dowling and Mr. Distasio were joined at today's news conference by employees and clients of Zucker Hillside Hospital and the North Shore Day Treatment Center in Manhasset who have are trying to kick the habit. To help them, the North Shore-LIJ Health System provides smoking cessation services through its Center for Tobacco Control. To date, the center has provided free nicotine replacement therapy, education and support services to about 400 North Shore-LIJ employees and nearly 3,000 community participants, including hundreds of police officers and firefighters.

About 36,000 New Yorkers die every year from cancer. Locally, the ACS estimates that, every week, cancer kills 54 individuals in Nassau County, 69 in Queens and 53 in Suffolk County.

As part of their new strategic partnership, North Shore-LIJ and ACS will connect survivors at various stages of their cancer 'journey' with community-based support and resources. Patients will also receive reliable information about cancer, its diagnosis and treatment options through 1-800-ACS-2345 and www.cancer.org, be directed to support groups like 'Look Good Feel Better', and receive assistance with transportation and other needs. ACS and North Shore-LIJ Health System will also work together to ensure that low-cost or no-cost screening cancer services are available to the communities that need them most.

Attached is a fact sheet from the Center for Tobacco Control that contains critical information about smoking and its effect on people living with illnesses of the brain:

Smoking and Mental Illness

• The smoking rate in the United States is approximately 21%.
• The smoking rate among those with illnesses of the brain is 2-3 times that rate.
• Nearly 90% of the people living with schizophrenia smoke cigarettes.
• Premature death rates are higher for people living with illness of the brain.
• Cigarette smoking increases the metabolism of some antipsychotic medications resulting in the need for higher doses.
• Smoking may increase the negative side effects of antipsychotic medication.
• Smoking cessation interventions for people living with mental illness should include: medications (Nicotine Replacement Therapy), education, support groups, physical exercise and the integration of smoking cessation programming into existing mental health treatment services.

At the Center for Tobacco Control, part of the North Shore-LIJ Health System, we provide smoking cessation programs for patients from The Zucker Hillside Hospital, the North Shore Day Treatment Center, employees of the North Shore-LIJ Health System and the community at large.

Contacts: