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SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
For Immediate Release: November 17, 2005
CONTACT: Barb Buhler, State of South Dakota, (605) 773-3361
Daryl Thuringer, Avera Marketing, (605) 322-4733
Pam Stillman-Rokusek, Regional Health Marketing, (605) 719-7514
Stacy Bauer Jones, Sioux Valley Marketing, (605) 328-7056
Health Systems Announce Tobacco-Free Initiative
Governor Rounds Applauds Health Systems and Challenges Other Employers to Join the Initiative
On Thursday, November 17, the state’s three major health systems announced at a press conference their plans to move toward tobacco-free campuses in the facilities that are part of their health systems. Representatives from Avera, Regional Health, and Sioux Valley Health Systems announced their campuses will adopt a tobacco free policy effective May 31, 2006, which is World No Tobacco Day.
"I am extremely pleased the major health care providers in the state could join forces today, along with Governer Michael Rounds, to move toward tobacco-free environments for our health care facilities," said Charles Hart, M.D., M.S., President and CEO of Regional Health. "As a physician, I have seen the devastating effects tobacco use can have on patients and their loved ones. As health care leaders, we are taking this action collectively today to further promote healthy lifestyles for all who work and visit our facilities and we hope other businesses will join us in this important initiative."
The announcement coincided with the American Cancer Society’s 29th Annual Great American Smokeout.
“This is an exciting time for our organization to partner with other health care organizations and the governor in leading this effort which will lead to better health for our patients, visitors, physicians, and employees,” said Becky Nelson, President of Sioux Valley Hospital USD Medical Center. “We celebrate this day along with the American Cancer Society’s 29th Annual Great American Smoke out.”
"As health care organizations it is our responsibility to be leaders in healthy initiatives, so we are pleased to be part of this state-wide move toward tobacco free institutions," said John Porter, President and CEO Avera. “Across the state there have been several institutions that have already made the move to be tobacco free and we thank them for their leadership and hope that others will join the Governor in this initiative.”
At the press conference, Governor Rounds applauded the health care organizations for the initiative.
"A tobacco-free campus might seem like a natural step for a health care institution to take. However, these facilities are also large employers and they face the same issues and challenges any employer does in going tobacco-free," said Governor Rounds. "That's why I appreciate their leadership in this initiative and the wonderful example they're setting for all employers."
Rounds also announced the State’s executive branch offices will join the effort and become tobacco free, effective May 31, 2006. In addition, Rounds challenged other businesses and organizations to do the same.
Businesses and organizations interested in joining the tobacco free initiative can find more information at www.healthysd.gov or contact the Tobacco Control Program with the South Dakota Department of Health at 605-773-3737 or 1-800-738-2301.