Southwestern State Hospital will start the New Year as a tobacco-free campus. The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) policy, applies to all seven state and regional psychiatric hospitals.

Southwestern will kick-off its campaign to educate employees, consumers, advocates, and visitors about the new DBHDD policy today, which coincides with the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout. The hospital will provide materials that encourage living a tobacco-free life, as well as tobacco cessation options.

Hilary Hoo-you, FACHE, regional hospital administrator, states: Southwestern State Hospital is committed to promoting healthy living for our consumers and staff. We fully support this campaign and stand ready to assist those we serve and our staff as they make a fresh start toward living a tobacco free life.

According to a report released by the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD), nearly half of all cigarettes consumed in the United States are by individuals with a psychiatric disorder. People with serious mental illness, on average, die 25 years younger than the general population — largely from conditions caused or worsened by smoking. The policy not only promotes a tobacco-free lifestyle, but also provides protection against the dangers of secondhand smoke.

“The creation of The Great American Smokeout in 1977, has helped to spotlight the dangers of tobacco use and the challenges of quitting, and more importantly, has set the stage for cultural changes in tobacco control. We are elated that DBHDD has now become a part of that cultural change in Georgia by implementing tobacco-free policies at all of their facilities,” said Eric Bailey, representative of the American Cancer Society.

The Georgia Tobacco Quit Line is available to all employees and consumers who need assistance. Tobacco users can call 1-877-270-STOP for free counseling, support and referrals.

The DBHDD tobacco - free policy is in compliance with the Georgia Smokefree Air Act of 2005. The act allows for a more restrictive laws, rules and regulations to be passed and can be viewed at http://dhr.georgia.gov/gasmokefreeair. For additional information regarding the DBHDD tobacco-free policy or tobacco cessation options, visit www.dbhdd.georgia.gov.