Letter from BMC President and CEO Kate Walsh

As a healthcare institution Boston Medical Center (BMC) sees firsthand the devastating effects of tobacco – from cancer and heart disease to asthma and emphysema. Smoking slows the healing of wounds, increases infection rates after surgery and often causes poor birth outcomes.

For the health and safety of our patients, visitors and staff, BMC is a smoke-free campus. This means that patients and families, faculty, staff, contract workers, students, volunteers and visitors cannot smoke on all property owned or leased by BMC and Boston University Medical Campus.

I understand that our policy may be difficult for smokers, and we have no intention of forcing anyone to quit. We simply ask everyone to please refrain from smoking on campus for their own health and the health of others. We also ask that smokers refrain from smoking in front of BMC's neighbors' homes and businesses. If you are interested in quitting, you can learn more on our Quit Smoking Resources page.

Sincerely,

Smoke-Free Campus Map

Smoke-Free Campus Map

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Quit Smoking Resources

Smoking Cessation Program

BMC offers an eight-week Smoking Cessation Program for patients. Learn more

Free Nicotine Patches for Boston Residents

If you reside in Boston, the Boston Public Health Commission offers free nicotine patches to those trying to quit. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) to get started.

Massachusetts Smokers’ Hotline

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health offers a free smokers’ help line. The help line is a confidential way to get support and information to help you quit smoking. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). For Spanish speakers, call 1-800-8-Dejalo (1-800-833-5256). Resources are available online.

Online Program

This online quitting option offers guides, interactive tools and instant messaging with quit coaches. Visit http://www.smokefree.gov.

American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society’s Stay Away from Tobacco site offers information on tobacco and cancer, a guide to quitting smoking and suggestions for friends and family on how to help a smoker quit. Visit http://www.cancer.org/healthy/stayawayfromtobacco to learn more.