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Florida Orthopaedic Institute
Implements Tobacco-Free Property Policy, Encourages Healthier Lifestyle
Tampa, Fla. – December 19, 2017 – Florida Orthopaedic Institute (FOI) is taking additional steps to make good on its promise to keep people active and healthy. The state’s largest orthopedic group today announced a new policy that bans smoke and tobacco products from its 10 campus locations in Tampa Bay. The policy is meant to encourage a healthier lifestyle and aligns with its overall wellness initiatives. Tobacco use is the single-largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States. The smoke and tobacco ban goes into effect January 1, 2018.
“As a health care facility that prides itself on doing what’s best for our patients, this just makes sense for us and it has been a long time coming,” says Roy Sanders, M.D., President and Chief Medical Officer of Florida Orthopaedic Institute. “Many health care facilities in the area, including Moffitt Cancer Center, USF, Florida Hospital and BayCare, are already tobacco-free properties.” In the coming weeks, employees and patients will see tobacco-tree property signage added to parking lots, facility entrances and the information will be added on to all of our communication channels.
The ban includes electronic cigarettes, as well as regular cigarettes. Employees, guests and patients who do smoke will not be allowed to do so on any of the properties.
“We know that quitting smoking is a process and that it requires a plan — often taking several tries and requiring a great deal of support. We encourage our staff to commit or recommit to healthy, tobacco-free lives – not just for a day, but hopefully for a long, long time to come,” added Sanders.
The move was inspired by the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout, which takes place every year in November. The event is meant to encourage us all to help others make a plan to quit tobacco.
Approximately 36.5 million Americans remain cigarette smokers, and pipe, cigar, and hookah – other addictive and risky methods to smoke tobacco – are on the rise.
“There exists no ‘safe’ way to smoke tobacco,” says Gary M. Reedy, CEO of the American Cancer Society. “We know quitting is hard, but smokers can increase their chances of success with encouragement, and that’s precisely why we launched the Great American Smokeout. Receiving assistance by way of medication or counseling can double or triple the chances of successful quitting.”
Florida Orthopaedic Institute
Founded in 1989, Florida Orthopaedic Institute is one of Florida’s largest orthopedic groups, providing expertise and treatment of orthopedic-related injuries and conditions, including adult reconstruction and arthritis, anesthesiology, chiropractic services, foot and ankle, general orthopedics, hand and wrist, interventional spine, musculoskeletal oncology, orthopedic trauma, physical medicine and rehabilitation, physical and occupational therapy, sports medicine, shoulder and elbow, spine, urgent care, and weight management, among others. The organization treats patients throughout its surgery centers in North Tampa and Citrus Park, an urgent care center in South Tampa, and 10 office locations in Bloomingdale, Brandon, Brooksville, Citrus Park, North Tampa, Northdale, Palm Harbor, South Tampa, Sun City Center and Wesley Chapel. For more information, please visit: FloridaOrtho.com and ‘like’ us on Facebook: facebook.com/Florida.Orthopaedic.Institute.
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