Yoakum Community Hospital has officially implemented a tobacco-free policy for all patients, visitors and staff.  From now on, tobacco use of any kind will not be permitted – inside or outside – on hospital property. This initiative will also include the elimination of smoking in the hospital parking lot, as well as other designated areas outside YCH where employees, patients and visitors were once permitted to use tobacco products.

YCH has joined hospitals across Texas in an effort to become tobacco-free. As a health care organization, we are committed to the health and safety of our employees and patients. We believe that we have a responsibility to take a leadership role on this major health issue, and allowing people to use tobacco products defeats this purpose.

Approximately 28,000 adults die of a smoking-attributable illness annually in Texas. Tobacco use in and around hospitals poses health and safety risks for patients, employees and visitors.

YCH’s decision to go tobacco-free is not an attempt to “force” anyone to quit using tobacco products. Rather, the tobacco-free initiative is a concrete way we can demonstrate our ongoing commitment to healthy living.

We are asking for community support in Yoakum Community Hospital’s tobacco-free initiative as we move forward.