ST. CLOUD -- For the first time since it opened in the 1960s, St. Cloud Regional Medical Center is now smoke-free.
It's a growing trend a lot of hospitals across the country are now following.
This policy extends not only to the hospital campus itself, but to more than 10 adjacent acres the hospital also owns. This means anyone, whether it’s a visitor or employee who wants to smoke, would have to drive beyond that perimeter.
Officials said they hope this will be an added incentive for people to quit.
"People are willing to go along with the rules, and if that makes them healthier and do better in their health, that's great. We'll be more than happy to provide that crutch," said Cindi Butcher from St. Cloud Regional Medical Center.
While officials don't have hard numbers for how much money they might save on health insurance or hospital bills because of this policy, they said it's an added perk.
Starting Jan. 8, the hospital will offer a free quit smoking program. It's open to hospital workers, volunteers and anyone in the community who wants to stop smoking.
Anyone interested should call the hospital to sign up in advance.
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