Providence bans tobacco

Providence Health Care is banning tobacco use at all of its properties, including Sacred Heart Medical Center and Holy Family Hospital. Patients, visitors, hospital staff and doctors will be restricted from smoking, using chewing tobacco, or even so-called e-cigarettes, which manufacturers have billed as a stop-smoking device though medical researchers and officials warn the vapors contain harmful substances. Dr. Andrew Agwunobi, chief executive of Providence, said hospital nurses will offer patients nicotine replacement products during their stay if they wish to smoke. He said the policy will be effective Jan. 1.