FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                              
Christi S. Meggs
(843) 479-2881

Bennettsville, SC (February 1, 2008) – Marlboro Park Hospital and its two medical office buildings will become tobacco free effective February 14, 2008.Considered a significant step, it is the strong belief by the Administration that the community's hospital should be a role model in promoting healthy lifestyles and there was no better way to do so than to address the nation's most preventable cause of disease and death.

"As the community's hospital, Marlboro Park Hospital can, and should, be a leader in this controllable, deadly behavior," stated Jodi Beauregard, Interim CEO of Marlboro Park."We can reduce the incidence of cancer in our community, serve as a catalyst to help other businesses similarly commit and send a strong message that though we are here for our community's health care needs, individuals can control much of their medical destiny.While we realize such a policy may create a challenge for some people, it is in the best interest of promoting good health for all."

Marlboro Park Hospital will join 49 South Carolina hospitals in going tobacco free.The South Carolina Hospital Association Board of Trustees passed a resolution encouraging all South Carolina hospitals to go tobacco free campus wide.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tobacco kills more than 6,000 South Carolinians each year. That's more than alcohol, AIDS, car crashes, illegal drugs, murders and suicides combined.

While smoking has been banned inside the hospital for many years, it has been permitted in designated smoking areas.This new tobacco-free policy will prevent the use of any tobacco product, including cigarettes and smokeless tobacco, at all Marlboro Park Hospital locations including the hospital and its medical office buildings.The policy is applicable to hospital and clinic employees, volunteers, physicians, contractors, visitors and patients.

"We selected Valentine's Day as our quit day for the significance of the holiday," stated Jodi Beauregard, Interim CEO."We believe it's the right thing to do to provide a healthier environment for all concerned.Our new policy is not designed to deny a person's right to smoke or use tobacco. Anyone can smoke or use tobacco, just not on our campus beginning February 14.As a health care facility, we have a moral responsibility to promote wellness and maintain a healthy campus."

For more information about the tobacco-free initiative, contact Christi Meggs, Director of Marketing at (843) 479-2881 ext. 3104.

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