Ochsner Health is tobacco free at all locations and promotes tobacco free environments in the communities we serve, living the legacy of our founder Dr. Alton Ochsner.

Why tobacco free?

In 1939, Dr. Alton Ochsner was one of the first to discover the link between tobacco use and lung cancer. He then dedicated the rest of his life to educating the world on the dangerous effects of smoking. “Living the Legacy, as we call it, will be a reflection of Dr. Ochsner’s life’s work and his breakthrough research,” says Pete November, CEO of Ochsner Health. “By prohibiting tobacco use at and around our facilities, we are not only living that legacy but also ensuring that our patients have the most healing, safe environment possible.”

As a leader in healthcare, it is important that we continue to set the standard for meaningful care and healthy living. At Ochsner, we do not want to just promote healthy lifestyles – we want to live them. We know that lifestyle choices matter. In fact, research shows that 75% of disease in our country is attributable to the way we live.

Ochsner is proud to that all its campuses have been tobacco free since 2011 and support others in their efforts, including schools, colleges, universities, businesses and cities. We are proud that the City of New Orleans passed a comprehensive smoke free ordinance in January 2015.

Ochsner offers Smoking Cessation Clinics in all of its regions to help smokers quit the habit. In partnership with the Tobacco Trust, there are free office visits and counseling in addition to free or reduce cost medications. To find out more please go to www.ochsner.org/stopsmoking.

Institute for Wellness and Health Policy

The Institute for Wellness and Health Policy at Ochsner Health was established to educate, inspire and help people to achieve wellness through lifestyle and to offer affordable solutions that enable individuals to take responsibility for their own personal health.

The Institute has three main areas of focus: tobacco, diet and inactivity. We address these areas in the following ways:

• Education: Educate our patients, the community and policymakers on the dangers of tobacco use and the importance of a healthy diet and activity level.
• Advocacy: Advocate for policies that reduce tobacco use, obesity and inactivity.
• Convener and Resource: Bring together stakeholders and partners who are interested in joining the cause.

For more information, contact tobaccofree@ochsner.org or wellnessinstitute@ochsner.org

Living the Legacy Articles

• Tips to Quit Smoking and Maintain Your Weight
• Why Quitting Will Help
• Keep a Healthy Heart
• Smoking’s Appeal: How Advertising Has Affected You
• How Does Tobacco Affect Your Health?
• Living the Legacy: Alton Ochsner and the link between tobacco and lung cancer; why his legacy matters to us