Tobacco-Free Policy

Mount Sinai Medical Center has a longstanding commitment to serving patients and improving the health of our community. We believe it is important to promote an environment that supports wellness and disease prevention as well as medical treatment and healing. That is why Mount Sinai became a tobacco-free environment on July 1, 2010.

Because tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, we believe prohibiting its use on our campus is consistent with our health care mission. We also have a commitment to provide our patients, visitors and staff with a healthy work environment.

This policy prohibits the use of all forms of tobacco, including, but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco, chew, snuff and dip. Patients, visitors, and employees will not be able to use tobacco products on any properties owned, leased or managed by Mount Sinai, including buildings, grounds, sidewalks, parking lots and garages. The policy also applies to vehicles parked on hospital property.

We know that quitting tobacco is difficult. However, the benefits of quitting are well documented, as tobacco use is the primary cause of all cancers and emphysema, and it is a leading preventable cause of heart disease and stroke. Our policy also addresses the risks of exposure to secondhand smoke, which is associated with numerous health problems in both children and adults. In addition, smoking slows bone and wound healing and those who smoke have twice the risk of postoperative infection.

If you currently use tobacco, we realize that it may be difficult to break free of the habit. We encourage you to contact the Miami-Dade Area Health Education Center, which offers free tobacco cessation classes to the public. For more information, visit their website at www.mdahec.org, or call 305-994-9268.

Thank you in advance for embracing our new tobacco-free policy.