KCH Recognized For Non-Smoking Policies
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Staff Report-
For the fourth consecutive year, the Rural Indiana Smoke-Free Environment awards were presented to the providers as part of the 11th annual Indiana Rural Health Association conference this week in French Lick. The theme of the two-day conference is "Rural Health: The Tradition Lives On."[[In-content Ad]]"Many healthcare providers serving the rural populations of our state continue to be leaders in the arena of public health," said Don Kelso, executive director of IRHA. "We hope these awards will recognize the progress being made in rural areas on important health issues like tobacco use."
The honor represents a collaborative effort involving IRHA and Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation. Intended to recognize smoke-free health care facilities serving all rural areas of the state, the award signifies a commitment from ownership, management and staff to take the necessary steps to lead Hoosiers toward a healthier Indiana.
Incorporated in this effort is the use of a guideline recently released by the U.S. Public Health Service.
"These facilities represent the front lines in a battle to protect Hoosiers from the harmful effects of tobacco use, and this progress deserves to be rewarded," said Karla Sneegas, executive director of ITPC. "Hopefully, these awards will serve as additional motivation for leaders throughout Indiana to adopt effective smoke-free policies."
In order to qualify for the award, the applying facility must show evidence of a 100-percent smoke-free policy in all buildings, on all grounds and in all organization-operated vehicles. The facility also must submit an explanation of the process through which the policy was achieved.
For the fourth consecutive year, the Rural Indiana Smoke-Free Environment awards were presented to the providers as part of the 11th annual Indiana Rural Health Association conference this week in French Lick. The theme of the two-day conference is "Rural Health: The Tradition Lives On."[[In-content Ad]]"Many healthcare providers serving the rural populations of our state continue to be leaders in the arena of public health," said Don Kelso, executive director of IRHA. "We hope these awards will recognize the progress being made in rural areas on important health issues like tobacco use."
The honor represents a collaborative effort involving IRHA and Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation. Intended to recognize smoke-free health care facilities serving all rural areas of the state, the award signifies a commitment from ownership, management and staff to take the necessary steps to lead Hoosiers toward a healthier Indiana.
Incorporated in this effort is the use of a guideline recently released by the U.S. Public Health Service.
"These facilities represent the front lines in a battle to protect Hoosiers from the harmful effects of tobacco use, and this progress deserves to be rewarded," said Karla Sneegas, executive director of ITPC. "Hopefully, these awards will serve as additional motivation for leaders throughout Indiana to adopt effective smoke-free policies."
In order to qualify for the award, the applying facility must show evidence of a 100-percent smoke-free policy in all buildings, on all grounds and in all organization-operated vehicles. The facility also must submit an explanation of the process through which the policy was achieved.
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