NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center Campus To Go Tobacco Free

Nov. 17, 2010 - PRLog -- Minneapolis, MN.  On Thursday November 18, 2010, NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center will become a tobacco free campus.  This means that the use of tobacco products while on the NorthPoint campus is prohibited.  

According to the American Cancer Society, tobacco use is responsible for 1 in 5 deaths in the United States.  NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center is committed to saving lives and improving the health care of our community.  That’s why we support an environment that encourages positive health care choices for NorthPoint’s patients, visitors and staff.  

The decision to restrict tobacco use on campus came about after a series of discussions and feedback from staff and focus groups.  In January 2010, the NorthPoint Board of Directors passed a resolution creating a smoke-free campus for NorthPoint, Inc. and requesting the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners to create a policy making the entire NorthPoint Campus smoke-free.  By becoming a smoke free campus, NorthPoint is demonstrating its commitment to promoting health and wellness among patients, visitors, volunteers and staff.

Having a tobacco free campus not only benefits the health of employees but patients as well.  Non-smokers will no longer have to be subjected to the harmful chemicals of tobacco products.  Becoming a smoke-free campus will have a positive influence on smokers who are trying to quit.  Information and cessation programs are available to patients and staff.  Patients are encouraged to talk with their provider about their options.  
NorthPoint is considered a leader of healthcare and human services in North Minneapolis and Hennepin County.  As a healthcare institution, it is important that we educate and model healthy behaviors for our communities.  The implementation of a smoke-free environment sends a clear message of our commitment to create and sustain healthy communities and provide a platform for other organizations in North Minneapolis and Hennepin County to make the same commitment.

The American Cancer Society sponsors an annual event, the Great American Smokeout, which encourages smokers to quit for at least 1 day in the hope that this might challenge them to stop permanently. This year, the event will be held on November 18, which coincides with NorthPoint’s first day of being a tobacco free campus.

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NorthPoint Health & Wellness center is a full service medical clinic, and human services facility in North Minneapolis serving the Hennepin county community