Patients and employees will soon put away the lighter, the cigarettes and the ashtray at one local hospital.

Onslow Memorial Hospital goes tobacco free September first. Hospital spokesman Tim Strickland says this means hospital employees and patients cannot smoke anywhere on the hospital grounds. He says employees will be documented if they are caught smoking on campus, and patients will be offered a coupon for nicorette to help them possibly quit smoking in the future.

The hospital is also offering classes for patients, employees and anyone in the community who would like to learn tips to kick the habit.