Tobacco.org

Marion hospitals begin ban of tobacco on campuses  

The idea of lighting up in the parking lot of Marion County's two largest hospitals got snuffed out when Munroe Regional Medical Center and Ocala Health became tobacco-free campuses today.

The two hospitals, which chose today's Great American Smokeout to launch the ban, are now part of a consortium of more than 70 smoke-free Florida hospitals.

Both hospitals had tried for years to make the change, but a gentle push from a local doctor and management brought the project to fruition.

Dr. Dante Raju, who still remembers when doctors smoked inside hospitals, said he brought the issue to the fore.

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