(WTVF) — Tennessee Valley Healthcare VA campuses will go smoke-free this fall.
The change is in response to a new Department of Veterans Affairs policy restricting smoking at its healthcare facilities.
Cigarettes, cigars, pipes and any other combustion of tobacco will not be allowed on campus. This also includes e-cigarettes, vape pens and e-cigars.
The VA said the policy was created due to growing evidence that smoking and exposure to smoke creates significant medical and safety risks.
"We are not alone in recognizing the importance of creating a smoke-free campus," said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. "As of 2014, 4,000 health care facilities and four national health care systems in the U.S. have implemented smoke-free grounds. This policy change coincides with additional VHA efforts to help us become the provider of choice for Veterans and the reason why Veterans will ChooseVA."
Campuses will go smoke-free on October 1.
