Prohibition on smoking within Juntendo University Hospital area

-Cooperation with local community and changes in awareness of smoking-

Abstract

A committee on the promotion of smoking cessation was established in January 2006 in Juntendo University School of Medicine and Juntendo University Hospital. The committee consisted of staff with various areas of expertise and included physicians, nurses, medical technicians, and office staff from the hospital and school. The mission of the committee was : 1) to ban smoking throughout the entire area of Hongo campus including the hospital and school in order to provide patients with high quality medical service in a smoke-free environment; 2) to promote smoking cessation; and 3) to educate the general public regarding the detrimental effects of smoking. To accomplish this mission, the committee planned and implemented various projects. For example, public relations programs targeting patients and employees at Juntendo, inviting only smoke-free taxis within hospital area, a patrol to clean up the area and neighborhood of Juntendo Hospital, regular publication of news on smoking-related health problems and the importance of smoking cessation, conducting a questionnaire-based survey on the awareness of smoking-related health problems the and importance of a smoke-free environment, cooperation with the local community to promote legislation for smoke-free public roads, and so on. Herein, we report what the committee has done for the past 5 years to accomplish this mission, how awareness of smoking-related health problems and the benefits of a smoke-free environment has changed among persons working in the Hongo campus area, and perspectives for the future direction.