NEW BRUNSWICK — Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) has gone 100 percent smoke-free and tobaccofree on all surrounding grounds and facilities owned, leased or operated by the hospital.
The smoke-free zone, expanded earlier this month, covers all RWJUH locations, including its various New Brunswick facilities and sites, the Old Bridge Health and Fitness Center, and Monroe Speech & Hearing.
The smoke-free and tobacco-free zones prohibit the smoking of any tobacco products, as well as the use of smokeless tobacco such as snuff or chew.
“As a comprehensive cancer center, our mission is not limited solely to clinical practice,” said David Fernandez, vice president for oncology services at RWJUH. “We are proud of our clinical programs and capabilities, but it is equally important for us to serve as an advocate for cancer prevention, education and research. We believe going tobacco-free is a natural extension of our mission, and we are committed to providing the necessary support for individuals who may need assistance with quitting smoking or using tobacco products.”
Fernandez said there will be additional resources available to those who are interested in quitting smoking. One such resource is a Stop Smoking Group launched by the UMDNJ-Tobacco Dependence Program. The group meets Thursdays 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Cancer Institute of New Jersey’s Learning Room, 195 Little Albany St. The group offers free treatment to help individuals quit smoking. For information, call Donna Richardson at 732-235-8223 or email [email protected].