Long Beach Medical Center is a Smoke-Free Campus
As advocates of healthy behaviors and promoters of prevention and wellness, Long Beach Medical Center joined the Nassau County Department of Health in raising awareness about the dangers of smoking and second-hand smoke by instituting a campus-wide smoke free environment for its employees, patients and visitors.
"Our mission is to create a healthier environment for our patients, visitors, employees and everyone who comes to one of our facilities,” says Douglas L. Melzer, CEO. “We serve as a role model and educator of healthy behaviors and are committed to wellness and prevention as well as treatment. Instituting a smoke-free campus enables us to lead by example.”
The new smoke-free initiative began on January 1, 2011, and includes all interior and exterior areas surrounding Long Beach Medical Center's Hospital, The Komanoff Center for Geriatric and Rehabilitative Medicine, and ancillary services located at 249 E. Park Avenue, Long Beach. The Medical Center has maintained a smoke-free policy in all of its buildings for years, but this new initiative incorporates all exterior areas, including grounds, parking lots and walkways.
In preparing for the January 1st event, the Medical Center engaged its staff in a six-month countdown which included awareness initiatives, education and support for those who wished to stop smoking. Cessation classes, workshops and support groups are ongoing to encourage anyone who may wish to use this as an opportunity to quit or reduce tobacco use.
Community members are invited to participate in these smoking cessation programs. Programs are free of charge and include both day and evening classes.
For more information about smoking cessation programs at Long Beach Medical Center, call (516) 897-1250 or
click here.