Smoking Bans on the March

In a long overdue move, Springfield's two hospitals will soon totally ban smoking on their properties.

Officials from Memorial Medical Center and St. John's Hospital said Tuesday that concern about the dangers of secondhand smoke, as well as the institution's missions, prompted them to plan policies that will eliminate all designated outdoor smoking areas.

The bans, affecting hospital employees, patients and visitors, will begin Nov. 17, the same day as the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout.

Although, they are going to be nicer about it than I would be...

Hospital officials said they will be respectful in asking visitors not to smoke but are aware the topic may be sensitive for friends and relatives already preoccupied with loved ones facing life-threatening illnesses.

"All you can do is ask for compliance," Myers said.

Added Bente: "We're not going to kick people off of the property."

Why the hell not? It's a HOSPITAL. And maybe if I feel a need to come over and burn my trash they will be sensitive to that too. Look, it's very unhealthy to have cigarette smoke around. I don' think this should be voluntary.