Tobacco-Free Environment
In an effort to improve the healthcare environment for patients, family members, employees, physicians, volunteers and all those who come to Bronson, all Bronson facilities and properties are tobacco-free. This tobacco-free policy affects all Bronson properties, including Bronson Methodist Hospital and the downtown campus, Bronson Vicksburg Hospital, Bronson Lifestyle Improvement and Research Center, Bronson Advanced Radiology Services, Bronson Outpatient Center Paw Paw, and all Bronson medical offices. The goal is to help curb the use of tobacco in an effort to lower the incidence of devastating diseases and health complications linked to tobacco use, as well as reduce the expense to employers and health plans. Historically, smoking rates in Michigan have been among the highest in the country; one in four adults is a smoker and annually nearly 30,000 kids under 18 join those ranks. According to the Michigan Department of Health, the direct medical costs attributable to smoking are nearly $2.65 billion annually. Productivity and healthcare costs can be better managed by implementing a tobacco-free policy. Employees who smoke have higher medical and dental costs, and have greater absenteeism. At the workplace, 35 minutes a day (18.2 days per year) on average is lost in productivity time per smoker. Bronson is joined in its tobacco-free efforts by Borgess Health, Battle Creek Health System, Michigan State University Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies (MSU / KCMS), West Michigan Cancer Center, West Michigan Air Care, and the Hospital Hospitality House. Tobacco Cessation Resources Governmental Agencies Organizations Internet Resources Pharmaceutical Aids for Cessation - Online Support | 
