Smoke Free Medical Campus

UHealth – University of Miami Health System

The University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine is committed to promoting the health, well being and safety of the staff, students, faculty, patients, and visitors to our campus. Tobacco smoke is a proven health and safety hazard both to smokers and to non-smokers who are involuntarily exposed to the serious health risks of second hand smoke. Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States and tobacco use is inconsistent with our healthcare mission. With that said, we will become smoke-free on or around March 2010.

At UHealth, we are always striving to improve the health of our community. The decision to become smoke free is a logical and important extension to that commitment, and an expansion of existing practice. Smoking will be prohibited on the premises, including academic, research and clinical buildings, parking lots and green spaces on the medical campus.

Implementing this initiative was not an impulsive decision. A task force of more than 40 representatives from the university, hospital and clinics has worked for nearly a year to lay out a plan for a smooth transition to a smoke-free environment.

By undertaking this initiative, UHealth joins numerous educational and health care facilities across the state and nation in protecting our employees, patients and visitors from exposure to secondhand smoke. This is an important step in fulfilling our role as healthcare leaders in South Florida.

We hope you will take advantage of the resources provided by this web site as well as the healthier environment of the UM campus.

Arthur M. Fournier, M.D.
Associate Dean for Community Health Affairs
Professor and Vice Chairman
Department of Family Medicine
University of Miami Area Health Education Center Program Director

Richard J. Thurer, M.D.
B. and Donald Carlin Professor of Thoracic Surgical Oncology
Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs
Smoke Free Campus Initiative Steering Committee Chairman