 Home | Recent News | Newton | Three Retirement Communities to Go Tobacco Free | Printme 14 Dec 2007 Three retirement communities to go tobacco freeNEWTON, KAN. – Three Harvey County retirement communities soon will be tobacco free zones. Newton Presbyterian Manor and Kidron Bethel Village, North Newton, plan to implement a tobacco free policy effective Sept. 1. Schowalter Villa, Hesston, plans to join them effective Oct. 1.
“We’re following the example of Newton Medical Center and Prairie View, who did the same thing last year,” said Shawn Sullivan, executive director of Presbyterian Manor. He said the three communities had discussed the idea and “each decided this was something each of our campuses needed to do.”
The health impact of second-hand smoke as well as an increased risk for fire from tobacco use were among the reasons for the decision, said Richard Heim, CEO of Kidron Bethel Village.
“We’re trying to be more health conscious,” he said, noting there is a “consumer demand for a smoke-free environment.”
No tobacco will be allowed anywhere on the property at each location. The policy will apply to vendors, visitors and families in addition to residents and staff. Staff will be allowed to use tobacco only during unpaid breaks and that must be off campus.
The American Lung Association calls 2007 a “banner year” for tobacco control policies across the country, thanks to passage of state tobacco control laws, higher tobacco taxes and increased fire safety standards for cigarettes.
Harvey County is considering a clean air ordinance that would prohibit smoking in public businesses. Newton Mayor Willis Heck said the actions of Presbyterian Manor, Kidron Bethel Village and Schowalter Villa “absolutely” fit into the county’s plans. The county ordinance could take effect Jan. 1, 2008.
James Krehbiel, CEO and president of Schowalter Villa, said his retirement campus has had a no smoking policy for residents for several years. A Smoke-Free Committee comprised of staff has worked for several months to come up with the new policy.
“Hopefully it will provide even better care for the residents being served,” said Krehbiel. “We just feel like overall health and promoting good health is good for everyone.”
Presbyterian Manor and Kidron Bethel Village each are paying at least a portion of the cost of treatments (i.e. patches or other medications) for staff members who wish to stop smoking. All three locations are assisting staff and residents with smoking cessation classes or counseling.
Sullivan said there are no residents who smoke at Presbyterian Manor. Heim and Krehbiel noted that several staff members at their locations already have quit smoking even before the policies are implemented.
“The neat thing is that, last I’ve heard, we’ve had between six and eight employees who have stopped,” said Krehbiel. “A number have said they always wanted to stop and this has been an impetus.”
Sullivan said, “Part of our mission is to be an active living and wellness community and we felt it (the new policy) fit well” with that.
All noted that the three communities worked together to implement the tobacco free policies. “We collaborated on this,” said Sullivan. “We were thinking if a couple of us are going to do it, it makes sense to do it at the same time.”
Krehbiel said Schowalter Villa felt it needed an additional month to implement its policy, but it is no less enthused about it than the Manor or Kidron Bethel Village. “It’s important,” he said. “The fact that a number of organizations are doing it together – that’s what’s great.”
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