DrSontag.com

Every year, on the third Thursday in November, the American Cancer Society holds their annual Great American Smokeout.  On this day, they encourage all smokers to quit, or use less tobacco products than usual.  This year, November 20, 2008, marked a special day for several area hospitals.  Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Baptist Health, Orange Park Medical Center, UF-Shands, Memorial, St. Vincent’s and St. Lukes all formed an partnership to become smoke-free campuses.  As part of their agreement, all the hospitals promised to provide their employees with tobacco cessation tools that their employees would need.  This is a great idea for the local hospitals.  Unfortunately, it is not all that uncommon to see a patient admitted to the hospital with a tobacco related disease, standing outside in front of the hospital, oxygen tank and IV pole in tow.  Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death.  I encourage all smokers to think seriously about asking their primary care doctor about the new strategies and medicines we have available to help our patients quit smoking.  Tobacco is one of the most addicting drugs that exist and one of the most difficult to quit.