Geisinger Update
Geisinger To Go Smoke-Free
January 8, 2007
A big announcement came from our area’s largest employer and health care provider. There will be no smoking anywhere on Geisinger property, inside and outside.Geisinger is putting a new no smoking policy into effect and plans to be completely smoke-free by November.
Health system officials call tobacco use the number one preventable cause of death, disability and disease in the country and feel it only makes sense for a hospital to make this move.
Some smokers said Monday it’s their choice and they want Geisinger to butt out. Smokers like Lori Shiko are not happy.
“I think it’s discrimination. I feel that people have a right, and a choice, and if people want to smoke they should be able to smoke,” she said. “What about people who are overweight? Are they going to tell them they have to go on a diet because of heart problems or diabetes?”
Some visitor feel the same way. Sharon Feola of Berwick said she will abide by the ban but is tired of smokers getting picked on.
“It makes me angry. It makes me very angry. Because I have a cigarette in my hand I’m a second class citizen. If you want me to stop smoking stop selling them,” she said.
Geisinger officials expected the resistance but feel as a health care provider the ban is a must.
“I drove by a church and saw ‘only wet babies like change.’ That’s so true. But we’re going to walk hand in hand with our employees who have this addiction. We’re going to work with them. I think at the end of the day Geisinger and our communities will be much better for it,” said Geisinger spokesperson Curt McCormick.
Some smokers said the announcement has them already thinking about kicking the habit.
“I’m not happy about it but it might be the chance I need to quit,” said Geisinger employee Kelly Richard.
Geisinger hopes to reduce smoking and tobacco use on its property gradually between now and the Great American Smoke Out on November 15. They will offer different programs to help their employees deal with the new rule.
