Local Hospital is Now A Smoke-Free Campus

Augusta, GA—- With each drill Mickey Chamineak is taking down the smoking shelter at University Hospital.

Mickey Chamineak, Augusta: “I used to smoke and I’m every blessed that I quit and it’s been very good for me.”

Tearing this shed down is just one step to the smoke free campus initiative. And to help launch the change Patrick Reynolds was invited to speak at the hospital.

Patrick Reynolds, Tobacco Free Advocate:“ We know that second hand smoke kills. It is a tremendous hazard to health. It causes lung cancer, heart disease.”

Reynolds is the grandson of tobacco company founder RJ Reynolds. It’s the second-largest tobacco company in the United States and produces cigarettes like: Winston, Camel, Salem and Kools. Reynolds says he decided to become an anti-tobacco advocate after watching family members die of lung cancer.

Patrick Reynolds, Tobacco Free Advocate: “I gave over half of my stock and half of my inheritance to the tobacco free cause.”

Reynolds spoke to a handful of people Thursday about the need for more anti-smoking regulations in the Peach State.

Patrick Reynolds, Tobacco Free Advocate: “Soon I hope, I believe Georgia will have smoke free bars. Cigarette tax is only 37 cents and it needs to be raised. The national average on the cigarette tax is $1.11 now.”

Reynolds says it was tough going against the family company but did what he felt was right.

Fraendy Clervaud, Reporter Question: “So tell us about the non-profit organization you started. What’s going on with that?

Patrick Reynolds, Tobacco Free Advocate: “Google gave us a $40,000 grant in the form of free advertising. So we advertise quit smoking they like our quitting tips.”

He says more hospitals should follow in University’s footsteps. Reynolds stopped smoking in 1985 and he offers some advice for smokers.

Patrick Reynolds, Tobacco Free Advocate: “If you’ve tried to quit smoking before and failed take comfort in the fact, that most smokers failed several times before they stopped successfully. You can do it.”

Reynolds says so far 24 states have banned smoking in bars and restaurants and he hopes this will take place in all states. Reynolds wrote a book entitled “The Gilded Leaf”. In it he explains his family legacy and opposition he faced when speaking out against tobacco.