I congratulate the Hawaii Health Systems Corp. (HHSC) for joining the many hospitals in Hawaii that have become smoke-free. With roots tracing as far back as the pre-statehood sugar and pineapple clinics, HHSC has come a long way as the only public health system in the state. Its new rule to no longer allow tobacco or e-cigarette use on hospital grounds is a victory for patients and the health of our islands.
This year, the Legislature gave HHSC the authority to become smoke-free with the passage of Act 25 — a courageous but long-awaited move. Smoke-free hospital polices are not only fair, they are common sense. The 2006 U.S. Surgeon General’s Report states “there is no safe level or amount of exposure to secondhand smoke.” Even small exposures to secondhand smoke can hurt patients in a big way. Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable disease, disability and death, because it harms every organ of the body.
This is a health issue. Protection from secondhand smoke is critical in our places of healing, where patients are already weakened or suffering from smoking-related diseases. HHSC was created to bring quality of life and health equity to all of Hawaii’s residents, especially those in remote, underserved or rural areas where residents rely on the community hospital system as their source of essential medical care.
On neighbor islands, HHSC is one of the largest providers of health-care services, reaching those in greatest need. The impact of its decision to go smoke-free provides a safer, healthier environment for patients and employees in nine facilities throughout the state. Additionally, hospitals with tobacco-free policies demonstrate a positive, healthy image, and encourage and support tobacco use cessation among both patients and staff.
For nonsmokers, secondhand smoke is not solely an inconvenience; it is an unacceptable risk. Over 1,400 people die each year in Hawaii from smoking-related deaths, and our state loses more than $526 million per year in smoking-related health-care costs. Nationwide, smoking kills 480,000 people every year and costs over $170 billion in medical care. Given this information, if any place should be free from smoking, it should be our health-care facilities.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Clean Indoor Air Act being passed in Hawaii, which guarantees nonsmokers the right to breathe free from the dangers of secondhand smoke. Consequently, social norms about smoking and our landscape in general have changed; we now enjoy smoke-free work places and restaurants.
In 2015, beaches, parks, bus stops and public housing also went smoke-free. Our airports, the stadium, our theaters and many other gathering places have since implemented similar policies. HHSC campuses now join the Hawaii State Hospital, Queen’s Medical Center, Kuakini Hospital, Kapiolani Medical Center, Straub and nearly all other major hospitals by being smoke and tobacco-free.
Smoking is an addiction that millions struggle to break. My father, a highly intelligent and well-educated man, wrestled with smoking addiction his entire life. By spending more than $25 million a day to promote cigarettes, the tobacco industry has stacked the deck against adults who want to quit, and also against youth who wish to remain smoke-free.
HHSC is following national recommendations and the trend of hospitals in Hawaii and across the nation to improve its campuses by allowing its patients, employees and visitors to enjoy the benefits of healthy, smoke-free environments. It is now a role model for other sectors across the state — taking charge in improving the health of Hawaii’s population.
Elizabeth Tam, M.D., chairs the Tobacco Prevention and Control advisory board.
