On November 16, 2006, the University of Rochester Medical Center became a smoke-free campus—inside and out. As an institution that seeks to understand and find cures for disease, educates the physicians of tomorrow, and provides care to tens of thousands of people from the Finger Lakes region and beyond, it is a natural next step for us to prohibit all smoking and other consumption of tobacco products throughout our campus.

Cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, accounting for approximately one of every five deaths each year. Right here in Monroe County, about three people die each day from smoking-related diseases. In addition, secondhand smoke is the third leading cause of preventable death behind active smoking and alcohol abuse. Given everything we know about the dangers of tobacco and secondhand smoke, it is inconsistent with our health care mission to continue to allow smoking on our grounds.

We are just one of hundreds of U.S. hospitals that have banned smoking on their campuses, and here in Rochester, hospitals have adopted such a policy as well.

Thank you in advance for your support in helping us continue to be Smoke FREE Inside and Out.