Office of the Governor
500 E. Capitol Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-3212
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
CONTACT: Mark Johnston or
Roxy Everson, 773-3212
State Government goes tobacco free
PIERRE, S.D. – Visitors to state government
across the state today will see signs noting the facilities as tobacco-free. The
change went into effect May 31, World No-Tobacco Day, as part of a joint
initiative of Gov. Mike Rounds and the state’s largest health systems, Avera,
Regional Health, and Sioux Valley Health.
The executive
order signed by the Governor prohibits the use of all tobacco products,
including smokeless tobacco, on properties under the direction and control of
the Governor. The policy applies to employees, clients and visitors and includes
vehicles, parking lots and walkways into state buildings throughout South Dakota.
The policy
includes exceptions for patients and residents at the HumanServicesCenter in
Yankton, clients at the StateDevelopmentalCenter in
Redfield, residents of the State Veteran’s Home in Hot Springs,
visitors to campsites in state parks, and upon state highways and outdoors at
state highway rest stops.
The state provides help to employees who want
to quit tobacco through the Department of Health’s QuitLine, 1-866-SD-QUITS
(1-866-737-8487). The toll-free line provides telephone counseling and
discounted cessation medications to tobacco users interested in quitting.
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