UF Health Science Center, Shands HealthCare go tobacco-free Nov. 1

Nov. 1 marks the start of a new, tobacco-free era at the University of Florida and Shands HealthCare.

As UF and Shands leaders first announced in August, the use of tobacco will no longer be permitted in or around any Health Science Center, Shands HealthCare or UF Physicians buildings or parking lots beginning Sunday. Smoking cigarettes or using any other tobacco products also will be prohibited in vehicles while on Shands, UF Physicians or HSC property.

UF plans to prohibit tobacco use on its entire campus beginning in July.

"Going tobacco-free on our health-care campuses is the right thing to do for our patients and visitors — and for each other," said David S. Guzick, M.D., Ph.D., UF's senior vice president for health affairs and president of the UF&Shands Health System. "(This change coincides with) the opening of the Shands Cancer Hospital at UF, which reflects our commitment to the prevention and treatment of cancer."

Smoking and tobacco use are already prohibited indoors. The new rule mainly affects a few designated outdoor smoking and tobacco-use areas and the properties surrounding Health Science Center and Shands HealthCare facilities in north central Florida.

"The decision to have tobacco-free campuses systemwide supports our commitment to provide a healthy, clean and safe environment for our patients and staff and to improve health in our communities," said Timothy Goldfarb, chief executive officer of Shands HealthCare. "We not only provide outstanding medical treatment and patient care, but also work hard to promote wellness and disease prevention."

Tobacco use is responsible for nearly one in five deaths across the country, according to the Florida Hospital Association. That's approximately 440,000 deaths per year — more than are caused by alcohol, cocaine, crack, heroin, homicide, suicide, car crashes, fires and AIDS combined. Currently, one out of every seven adults hospitalized at Shands at UF is treated for cancer or cancer-related illnesses.

The Health Science Center and Shands HealthCare are providing information and resources to assist employees, patients and visitors who would like to break the habit. A wide selection of counseling services, self-help materials and medicines are available to help smokers and tobacco-users quit successfully. More information is available at www.tobaccofree.health.ufl.edu.