Cookeville Regional Medical Center is now a totally tobacco-free campus. No tobacco use of any kind is permitted — inside or outside — on hospital property. Designated smoking areas at the hospital have been eliminated. As a health care organization, Cookeville Regional is committed to the health and safety of our employees and patients. We believe that we have a responsibility to take a leadership role on this major health issue, and allowing people to use tobacco products defeats this purpose. Tobacco is the cause of death for more than 9,000 Tennesseans every year and is the root cause of many illnesses and lost productivity. Tobacco use in and around hospitals poses health and safety risks for patients, employees and visitors. Cookeville Regional’s decision to go tobacco-free is not an attempt to “force” anyone to quit using tobacco products. Rather, the tobacco-free initiative is a concrete way we can demonstrate our ongoing commitment to healthy living. If you would like assistance on how to quit smoking, visit the Quit 4 Life Support Group on Thursday evenings at 6:00 p.m. in the hospital cafeteria conference room or call 931-528-QUIT.