Smoking banned at healthcare facilities starting Nov. 1

Publication Date: 2013-10-28

• Author:STAFF REPORT
• Publication:Utica Observer-Dispatch

Starting Nov. 1, staff and visitors won't be able to smoke in hospitals and residential health care facilities in New York or on their grounds.

Officials at the three Oneida County hospitals stressed their support of the new state ban on Monday

"This new law helps to promote a healing environment where people need it the most," said Richard Ketcham, president/CEO of Faxton St. Luke's. "We commend our governor and the state legislature for recognizing the health benefits of this regulation and for making it law."

Faxton St. Luke'’s Healthcare and St. Elizabeth Medical Center banned smoking on all hospital-owned properties in Nov. 2006...