The American Cancer Society has a challenge for smokers out there: Stop smoking for 24 hours.

The challenge, called the Great American Smokeout, originated in 1977 in Minnesota and spread quickly state to state.

This year the Smokeout was planned for (today) Nov. 20, which sparked a new policy at the Beatrice Community Hospital and Health Center and its assisted living facility, Parkview Center.

No smoking will be allowed on hospital property from this day forward. This includes any previously designated smoking areas on hospital owned property outside of the hospital buildings.

“As a health care organization, we believe that we have a responsibility to take a leadership role on this major health issue by promoting and supporting a culture of healthy living,” CEO Tom Sommers said.  “We are committed to providing the healthiest environment possible for our patients, employees, visitors and volunteers. As a health care institution, we feel this is the right thing to do.”

As part of a commitment to healthier lifestyles, the hospital will also offer free smoking cessation classes to employees and the general public.

“Smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable death in the United States, and one of the most difficult habits to break,” Keith Luedders, a registered respiratory therapist and director of the hospital’s Cardiopulmonary Department, said. “Our smoking cessation courses are geared to provide information on the effects of smoking and to educate the participants on the different resources available to assist in the process of quitting smoking.”

This ends a year-long wait for the policy to be implemented.

The smoke-free campus idea was announced to employees last year, who were then given a year until the program began so that all individuals who smoke could prepare for the change.

Likewise, Wednesday marked a no-smoking policy change for the Good Samaritan Societies in Beatrice, Wymore and Samaritan Springs.

“We truly care about our residents and staff and their well being,” said Correne Adams, Executive Director of the Beatrice campus. “We know that this will be a difficult process, but we also recognize the many health benefits to be gained from a tobacco free environment.”

While staff may choose to continue smoking or using other tobacco products, they may not do so on Good Samaritan Society grounds starting on Nov. 20, 2009.

“We need the public to understand that we’re not telling people to quit. We’re just asking, on hospital property, to not smoke,” Diane Vicars, director of marketing at the Beatrice Hospital, said.