All indoor and outdoor areas of the UCLA hospitals and health sciences campuses in Santa Monica and Westwood became completely smoke-free on Thursday.
The new smoke-free policy was launched to coincide with the 36th annual Great American Smokeout.
Dr. David Feinberg, CEO of the health system and associate vice chancellor for health sciences, said its purpose was to heal humankind one patient at a time by improving health, alleviating suffering, and delivering acts of kindness.
“Establishing a smoke-free environment within the UCLA Health System is an extension of that philosophy,” Feinberg said. “As a renowned research, education and health care–delivery institution, we must lead by example to protect the health and well-being of our faculty, staff, students, trainees, volunteers, patients and their families and to prevent disease.”
The physical areas affected by the new policy will include Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center; UCLA Medical Plaza; Santa Monica–UCLA Medical Center and Orthopaedic Hospital; Tiverton House; the UCLA schools of medicine, nursing, dentistry and public health; and some areas of the UCLA College.
