Beginning Aug. 2, Capital Medical Center and the Providence Southwest Washington Service Area will go tobacco free to improve the healing and working environment for patients, visitors and staff.

This means the use of any tobacco product will be prohibited on all the hospital campuses.

Since January, an internal campaign has been in effect educating staff and visitors that smoking, and the use of any tobacco products will not be allowed in the buildings, on the grounds, or in hospital-owned or operated parking areas.

CMC and SWSA campuses have been tobacco-free facilities for years. This change expands the tobacco policy to eliminate designated, outdoor smoking areas for patients, visitors, employees, vendors and anyone on hospital properties.

Visitors, volunteers, patients, medical staff members, guests, vendors and outside service personnel violating the policy will be asked to discontinue their use of tobacco products.