The Center for Smoking Cessation at Seton Health covers an eight-county region including Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Greene, Columbia, Schoharie, Otsego and Delaware Counties. The Center addresses and treats tobacco dependence to prevent premature death from many chronic conditions including heart disease, stroke, pulmonary diseases and lowers the risk of certain cancers. To combat these diseases, the Center for Smoking Cessation at Seton Health provides educational and supportive programs and services to health care professionals and members of the community.

St. Mary's Hospital leading the way with Opt-to-Quit

St. Mary’s Hospital/Seton Health is now one of the first hospitals in the state to launch “Opt to Quit,” a new program designed to help educate patients who wish to quit smoking.
“The first priority has always been to provide the best patient care possible at St. Mary’s so we’re proud to be one of the first hospitals in the state to implement Opt to Quit,” stated Peggy Keigley, director of the Center for Smoking Cessation at Seton Health. “As a result, more patients will quit smoking and become healthier, which will help reduce hospital readmissions and the time that patients must spend in the hospital from potential complications.”

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Smokefree Hospital Bill Signed Into Law

According to the provisions of the bill, smoking will be prohibited on hospital campus grounds and within 15 feet of the property lines of hospitals and nursing homes. The Lung Association noted that New York City enacted similar legislation in 2009.  Additionally, more than 100 hospitals across the state have adopted voluntary policies prohibiting smoking on their grounds. This new law will standardize the policy and the enforcement mechanism and cover all hospitals in the state; it will take effect in 90 days.

Read full American Lung Assocation Press Release