Beginning Feb. 1, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) will become tobacco-free. The move underscores the College’s commitment to providing an environment that promotes and supports a healthy lifestyle. This policy will affect both the College’s campuses in Philadelphia and Suwanee, Ga.
In Philadelphia, PCOM will be only the second college or university to implement such a policy. A tobacco-free policy is more comprehensive than a smoke-free policy in that it prohibits the use of all tobacco-related products. Those include cigarettes, cigars, pipes and smokeless tobacco products such as chewing tobacco, dip, snuff and electronic smoking devices.
Feb. 1 was chosen as the launch date for the policy as it coincides with the start of National Heart Month. Smoking significantly increases the risk of coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis and peripheral arterial disease.
For the past 125 years, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) has trained thousands of highly competent, caring physicians, health practitioners and behavioral scientists who practice a “whole person” approach to care—treating people, not just symptoms. PCOM, a private, not-for-profit accredited institution of higher education, operates three campuses (PCOM, PCOM Georgia and PCOM South Georgia) and offers doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, educational psychology, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, and school psychology. The college also offers graduate degrees in applied behavior analysis, applied positive psychology, biomedical sciences, forensic medicine, medical laboratory science, mental health counseling, physician assistant studies, and school psychology. PCOM students learn the importance of health promotion, research, education and service to the community. Through its community-based Healthcare Centers, PCOM provides care to medically underserved populations. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 215-871-6100.
Brandon Lausch
Executive Director, Strategic Communications
Email: brandonla@pcom.edu
Office: 215-871-6312 | Cell:
717-371-0609
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