WakeMed is Tobacco-Free

WakeMed Clears the Air on Independence Day

On July 4, WakeMed joins all other Triangle area hospitals in becoming 100 percent tobacco-free.  While WakeMed has banned smoking inside our facilities for several years, this new initiative prohibits the use of tobacco products anywhere on hospital property for employees, physicians, patients, visitors and any person on the properties. 

Each year, Triangle area hospitals – WakeMed, Duke Medicine, Rex Healthcare and UNC Hospitals - treat nearly 3 million patients a year, and employ nearly 40,000 healthcare workers, making this decision a significant step in providing a healthier environment for anyone who comes on a hospital campus in the region. This decision supports the commitment of Triangle area hospitals to promoting health and wellness in our community. 

“WakeMed is a leader and role model for health care in our community.  WakeMed’s tobacco-free policy demonstrates a commitment to that leadership by protecting patients, visitors and staff from the dangerous health risks of secondhand smoke.  This policy also promotes good health, which WakeMed works to achieve and maintain in our communities.” Jana Johnson, MD, Intensivist, WakeMed Faculty Physicians.

The Impact of Secondhand Smoke

While tobacco users face an increased risk of heart disease, cancer, lung disease and other serious medical conditions, those who inhale secondhand smoke are also at greater risk for these conditions. A recent report by the U.S. Surgeon General documents the serious health effects of involuntary exposure to tobacco smoke. Secondhand smoke is a major cause of disease, including lung cancer and coronary heart disease, even in healthy nonsmokers. Today, conclusive scientific evidence documents adverse effects of involuntary smoking on children and adults, including cancer and cardiovascular diseases in adults, and adverse respiratory effects in both children and adults.

What This Means for Visitors and Patients

We recognize that many of our patients, their families and loved ones use tobacco.  We are asking for your support of this new initiative.  If you are planning to visit a WakeMed facility, please come prepared with nicotine replacement therapy products.  Our physicians and nursing staff will work closely with inpatients to determin the best solution to meet your needs while you are with us.  WakeMed will also continue to provide cessation education for patients interested in quitting the use of tobacco.

WakeMed was recently honored, along with 56 other North Carolina hospitals, as a Tobacco-Free Trailblazer for its new campus wide policy banning tobacco use by the North Carolina Prevention Partners, a statewide non-profit organization that works with partners across the state to improve the health of all North Carolinians.

How to Kick the Habit: Quit Now NC!

North Carolina now has a tobacco-use quitline staffed with trained tobacco quitting specialists who can give support to you if you want to stop smoking. The quitline provides free support and information for all North Carolinians. 

Toll-free number 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) is available 8 a.m.-midnight, 7 days a week

Available in Spanish and other languages

For deaf/hard-of-hearing: TTY 1-877-777-6534