Annapolis, Md.-based Anne Arundel Medical Center is expanding its tobacco policy and will stop hiring nicotine and tobacco users.
The AAMC campus has been "smoke-free" since 2007, but that policy focused on the medical park campus and is limited to cigarette use. The new policy, effective July 1, will prohibit the use of all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. Additionally, the policy will include sidewalks, parking lots and garages, and will apply to all employees, physicians, patients, contract staff, vendors, volunteers, students and visitors at all AAMC facilities.
Further, effective July 1, 2015, AAMC will not hire individuals who use tobacco products. The policy will not apply to currently employees who use tobacco.
"By adopting this practice, we are joining many other prominent organizations, such as the Cleveland Clinic, Geisinger Health System and the World Health Organization in becoming tobacco-free," said Stephen Cattaneo, MD, medical director of thoracic oncology in the DeCesaris Cancer Institute at AAMC, in a news release.
AAMC already provides tobacco cessation resources to community members and employees who want help quitting.
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