On July 1, 2016, UHN will be a smoke-free environment. This is consistent with our goals of promoting good health and wellness, and required to maintain compliance with the province’s Smoke-Free Ontario Act. (Photo: Hau Dinh)
Today is World No Tobacco Day, an annual awareness day sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) since 1987 to highlight the health risks associated with tobacco use and encourage governments to adopt effective policies to reduce smoking and other tobacco use.
According to the WHO, tobacco use kills nearly six million people around the world each year. In Canada, tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death.
UHN is taking on its own campaign to go smoke and tobacco-free. On July 1, 2016, UHN will be a smoke-free environment. This means the smoking of tobacco products and electronic cigarettes on UHN-owned grounds is prohibited.
This initiative is consistent with our goals of providing a healthy and safe environment for our patients, visitors and staff, and it's also required to maintain compliance with Ontario law (Smoke-Free Ontario Act).
UHN's smoke-free policy applies to employees, medical staff, volunteers, patients, visitors, learners and subcontractors. Everyone has a role to play in ensuring compliance with smoke-free grounds.
If you or a loved one is ready to quit smoking, UHN's outpatient pharmacies, wellness department, and community partners can provide the help and support you need to succeed. To learn more about some of the smoking cessation programs and resources available around our hospitals and in our community, visit
www.uhnsmokefree.ca.
Check out the infographic for some facts on tobacco use and smoking.
Sources: Canadian Cancer Society and Health Canada. (Photo: UHN)
