Triangle Area, N.C. (October 3, 2006) - North Carolina’s three major Triangle area health systems, including Duke University Health System, UNC Healthcare and WakeMed Health & Hospitals, announced their decision today to become 100 percent tobacco-free by July 4, 2007. Combined, these three health systems perform nearly 3,000,000 patient encounters per year, serving patients from all 100 counties in North Carolina. Together, the three systems employ nearly 40,000 health care workers.

While the hospitals have banned the use of tobacco products inside their buildings for several years, the new policies will prohibit the use of tobacco products anywhere on hospital property for employees, physicians, patients, visitors and any person on the properties. Hospitals included in these systems include Duke University Hospital, Duke Health Raleigh Hospital, Durham Regional Hospital, Rex Healthcare, UNC Hospital, WakeMed Raleigh Campus, WakeMed Cary Hospital, and WakeMed North Healthplex. Outlying and ancillary facilities included in these health systems will also operate as completely tobacco-free.

Duke Medicine, UNC Healthcare, and WakeMed Health & Hospitals join more than 35 percent of hospitals in North Carolina, and a growing number of health care facilities across the nation that have already made the decision to go tobacco-free. This decision supports the mission of the Triangle area hospitals to promote health and wellness in the community.

A recent report by the U.S. Surgeon General documents the serious and deadly health effects of involuntary exposure to tobacco smoke. Secondhand smoke is a major cause of disease, including lung cancer and coronary heart disease, in healthy, nonsmokers. Today, massive and conclusive scientific evidence documents adverse effects of involuntary smoking on children and adults, including cancer and cardiovascular diseases in adults, and adverse respiratory effects in both children and adults. This policy is intended to eliminate the potential for exposure to second hand smoke and smokeless tobacco products on triangle hospital campuses.

Dr. Victor J. Dzau, a cardiologist and Chancellor for Health Affairs at Duke University and President and CEO of the Duke University Health System said: “This is an important decision that directly improves health and that protects our patients, our visitors, and our employees. We will also provide support to those who want to quit smoking by offering cessation courses and by making nicotine replacement therapy available to those who need it.”

“At a time when the surgeon general has reported that all Americans’ health is at risk from second-hand smoke, we, along with our affiliate Rex Healthcare and neighboring health care institutions, feel compelled to take immediate steps to eliminate risks to patients, visitors and employees,” said Dr. William L. Roper, CEO of the UNC Health Care System. “During this period of transition, we will develop multiple layers of support for our patients and employees to help them quit smoking.”

“As health care providers and leaders in our field, we must lead by example,” explains Dr. Bill Atkinson, president & CEO, WakeMed Health & Hospitals. “The community looks to us for medical advice, expertise and outstanding health care services. Taking this important step to provide a healthier environment for our patients, employees, physicians and visitors, is the right thing to do, and supports our commitment to improving the quality of health care delivered in North Carolina.”

Persons wishing to quit will be provided with resources available through Quit Now NC! such as their tobacco use quit line 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). Each facility will also issue a series of protocols for staff to follow when a patient or visitor requests smoking cessation assistance.