News and Events

Local Employers Benefit from Adoption of Tobacco Free Workplace Policies
November 16, 2017

Arcadia, Florida – Several local workplaces are making big strides in supporting the health and well-being of their employees by adopting tobacco free workplaces.

In 2007, DeSoto Memorial Hospital adopted a tobacco free workplace policy, supporting their employees’ efforts to quit smoking and enhancing their current wellness policies. While they have been supporting no tobacco for 10 years, they regularly revisit their policy to ensure it is providing an environment that is healthy for all persons on its premises.

The DMH tobacco free policy is now quite comprehensive and covers all buildings and properties, including parking lots owned by DeSoto Memorial Hospital and all properties under lease agreement with the hospital. Signs are posted at each facility entrance and other prominent, visible areas, reminding individuals that the premises is tobacco free.

Current employees are able to take free cessation classes through the Quit Your Way program offered by Tobacco Free Florida and enjoy the benefits of a tobacco free lifestyle.


DeSoto Memorial Hospital CEO, Vincent Sica (R) and Director of Marketing, Danyiell Blosser (L) proudly support their tobacco free grounds policy.

The free Quit Your Way program allows employees to call, go online, or even attend face-to-face cessation classes, many of which have been hosted at their places of employment in order to support tobacco cessation efforts.

One of the primary reasons an employer chooses to adopt a tobacco free workplace is the high cost associated with tobacco use at work.  Pack-a-day smokers are estimated to have 75% more lost productive time during the work day than their non-smoking co-workers, and healthcare costs are an average of 34% higher than those who do not use tobacco.

Tobacco Free Grounds policies also support employees in their attempts to quit, helping them to change their habits and avoid temptations to smoke.

For more information about adopting a tobacco free workplace, visit www-tfp-gilchrist.org or contact Jodie DeLoach at JDeLoach@QuitDoc.com. To learn more about the Quit Your Way program, visit TobaccoFreeFlorida.com/QuitYourWay.