Joining the nationwide 2008 Great American Smokeout on November 20, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii (KPH) will institute a smoke-free policy for all KPH clinics and administrative facilities statewide. For the health of employees, members and visitors, smoking cigarettes, cigars and pipes will not be permitted at any Kaiser Permanente Hawaii owned or leased property, within its buildings, or outside in common areas and parking areas.

This latest step furthers KPH's effort to become entirely smoke-free statewide. A milestone in the campaign took place on January 1, 2006, when the Moanalua Medical Center campus was declared smoke-free.

"Kaiser Permanente stands for prevention and we are committed to providing a safe, healthy environment at all of our facilities statewide. Our smoke-free policy will benefit all of our members and employees and anyone who visits any Kaiser facility," said Winona White, Kaiser Permanente vice president for human resources. "In keeping with our commitment, we offer several options to help our employees and members beat their smoking habit and live healthier."

Kaiser Permanente Quit-Smoking Services

-Kp.org/quitsmoking: Both nonmembers and members can visit this informational Web site that provides a guide on how to kick start a cessation plan. Health Media Breathe: For help on smoking cessation, KPH members can log onto www.kp.org/healthylifestyles to create a personalized strategy plan for decreasing dependency.

-Telephone Quit Line: KPH's most popular program is comprised of supportive specialists that offer individualized care to help members quit smoking at the convenience of a phone call (Oahu 432-8000; Maui & Big Island 1-877-432-8970) or class. It integrates a patient's medical history and electronic medical records in counseling. Members are educated about the nature of nicotine addiction, how to develop a personal quit plan and how to deal with withdrawal. Also key is KPH's ability to prescribe medications when the patient needs it, because of the proximity of its counselors to providers who can order the medications for near-immediate pick up at any KPH pharmacy, at the regular cost under their drug plan.

Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, a leading health care provider in the state, is celebrating 50 years of providing quality care and health coverage to the people of Hawaii. Its 4,400 employees and more than 400 doctors are dedicated to serving its members on Oahu, Maui, Hawaii, Molokai, Lanai and Kauai.