North Mississippi Medical Center-West Point will become smoke-free on July 8.

It is joining other hospitals, clinics and other facilities affiliated with North Mississippi Health Services in banning tobacco.

Local clinics adopting the new policy include the Children’s Clinic, West Point Medical Clinic, IMA-West Point, The Women’s Group-West Point and Medical Center Surgery and Family Practice Clinic.

The NMHS Board of Directors approved the change, time frame for its implementation and the new tobacco-free policy last fall.

Beginning July 8, all NMHS locations, whether the facility and grounds are owned, leased or rented, will be tobacco free. The new policy will apply to employees, medical staff, volunteers, vendors, visitors and patients.