NHS Lanarkshire smoke ban is key initiative to improve health

Jun 5 2008 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

SMOKERS are being encouraged to kick the habit ahead of a new ban taking place throughout NHS Lanarkshire’s grounds from August 1.

NHS Lanarkshire’s board approved the revised ‘No Smoking Policy’ as one of its key initiatives in a bid to improve health throughout the region.

Smokers will no longer be able to light up anywhere inside NHS Lanarkshire’s premises or within the grounds, including areas around hospital and health centre entrances and car parks.

Previously the ban only extended to the inside of buildings and immediately outside.

Smokers won’t have to go it alone, however, as advisors will be on hand at Wishaw General, Monklands and Hairmyres hospitals when the ban comes into force, offering advice and support to patients, visitors and staff who smoke.

Mental health inpatients will be exempt from the new policy until 2009, to allow more time for arrangements to be put in place.

Dr Lesley Armitage, consultant in public health medicine, said: “Smoking is the biggest single preventable cause of ill-health and early death in Lanarkshire.

“Around 1580 people in NHS Lanarkshire die annually from active or passive smoking, which is a quarter of all Lanarkshire deaths.

“This revised ‘No Smoking Policy’ is key to tackling this issue and strengthening NHS Lanarkshire’s already firm commitment to reducing the serious health risk posed by smoking to patients, members of the public and staff.

“The policy will mean that for the first time there will be no smoking anywhere, inside or outside, on NHS Lanarkshire premises.

“That’s a big step forward in the fight to tackle what is undoubtedly a major problem for Lanarkshire.”

To find out about stop smoking groups in your area call 0845 217 7707 or text ‘advice’ to 81066.