Every hospital for years has been smoke free on the inside, but Twin Lakes Regional Medical Center is taking it a step further.

On January 1, 2008 the facility will be a 100-percent smoke free campus inside and out.

"Eventually this will be a requirement by all hospitals," said Marketing Director Bill Oldham. "We are just trying to stay ahead of the game here."

He explained as a healthcare organization they are doing everything they can to keep people healthy.

"Secondhand smoke is just as bad as firsthand smoke," explained Oldham.

The hospital is trying to make the transition as easy as possible for smoking employees.

"Marla Cantway is having smoking cessation classes," said Oldham. "We feel this will help employees deal with a smoke free campus."

With the stressful jobs employees have they are trying to gradually phase into the change.

"Plans are to be smoke free a half a day a week at first," explained Oldham. "Then we will go to a whole day to get ready for the January 1 change."

The hospital is not mandating quitting smoking. Oldham said the hospital staff understands this is not an easy habit to break.

"Smoking is a little different than quitting habits like eating chocolate," said Oldham. "That only affects you, smoking affects everyone."

Other plans for the hospital are to break ground in later August for a $1.2 million surgical center expansion.

The new expansion is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.

In October of this year the hospital will break ground for the new speciality clinic in Big Clifty.

Reporter

mmudd@gcnewsgazette.com