On July 20^th, Geraldton Health Campus (GHC) staff celebrates having been smoke-free for over a year with food, entertainment and prizes being the flavour of the day.

 The celebration lunch is part of GHC’s Staff Health and Wellbeing project, which provides opportunities for staff to adopt healthy behaviours and to create a positive work environment.

 In May 2005, GHC became smoke-free, making the whole grounds, including all outdoor areas, non-smoking. The only exception is one designated patient smoking area, which will be closed at the end of August, making GHC 100% smoke-free.

 Activities organised for the event include:

• A healthy lunch for staff
• A skit performed by hospital management mapping the journey of becoming smoke-free
• A quirky quiz competition
• A chocolate wheel competition
• A number of quirky smoking facts will be sent to all staff in the week leading up to the lunch i.e. "did you know that almost all nicotine is out of the body 12 hours after your last cigarette?"

“Geraldton Health Campus is supportive of staff who wish to quit smoking and provides them with three weeks worth of nicotine patches or gum for free. We also run regular 'How to Quit' information sessions and 'Fresh Start' quit smoking courses” says Michelle O’Brien, Health Promotion Officer.

 “Since becoming smoke-free, many staff have quit smoking, or reduced the number of cigarettes they smoke each day” she said.

 As a health service, GHC is committed to providing a hazard free environment for its staff, patients and visitors through reducing exposure to harmful passive smoking.

 End of Release

Photo opportunity at event available, or photos can be sent to you.