Health chiefs react to call for NHS smoking ban

The bid - from Public Health England - is for a “tobacco-free NHS” with more support on quitting offered to patients, visitors and staff.

All hospitals are already supposed to be smoke-free - but some patients, visitors and staff flout the rules.

Duncan Selbie, chief executive of PHE, said he wants every hospital’s buildings and grounds to be completely smoke free.

He said: “I believe we can make the NHS a place that provides a supportive tobacco-free environment for patients, staff and visitors, where helping people quit is fully integrated into their treatment.”

Peter Mitchell, director of estates and facilities management at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, said staff already discourage members of the public from smoking in hospital grounds.

He said: “It is against the law to smoke in any public building including hospitals. 
“Smoking within the grounds of the hospital is not unlawful.

“We discourage members of the public from doing so and support patients through the offer of nicotine replacement therapies.”

He added: “Members of the public are encouraged to follow this policy and will be politely requested to stop smoking if they are observed.

“Staff are required to follow trust procedures which prohibit them from smoking in the grounds of the hospital.”

The campaign by Public Health England has attracted a support from the Hartlepool community on social media - with many calling for a total ban.

On Facebook Mail readers called for smoking to be banned entirely, calling it “an utterly filthy habit.”

One reader said: “There is nothing worse than having to walk through the entrance when there is a load of smokers.”

Health chiefs say smoking is the single biggest cause of premature death in England - costing the NHS an estimated £2 billion every year and another £1.1 billion in social care.

According to PHE, around seven million adults in England smoke and, for every death caused by smoking, there are around 20 suffering from diseases.

Do you agree with the call for a smoking ban? Share your views on our poll: https://www.playbuzz.com/garywelford10/poll-should-smoking-be-banned-in-all-nhs-buildings-and-groundsSIDEBAR

Here is what Mail readers had to say abut imposing a smoking ban:

Sarah Dickenson said: “There is nothing worse than having to walk through a load of smokers when you want to walk into a hospital often with children in tow.”

Louise Bourne commented: “I saw a woman hooked up with an oxygen tank, in her nightie, dressing gown, slippers, in a wheelchair, smoking. “

Carolyn Hart added: “They have the entrances to hospitals smelling like them.”

Heather Jopling disagreed.

She said: “It’s a free country if people want to smoke then let them smoke. What should be enforced is that people are smoking in the correct places, where the appointed sites are generally away from the entrances and walkways.”

James Graham said: “Ban smoking entirely. It’s an utterly filthy habit.”

Carol Turner said: “Personally I think if someone smokes and are stressed about what will happen to them in hospital, it is not the time to put extra pressure on them to stop.”

Pauline Dixon added: “Should be away from entrances certainly.”

Jane Sawdon commented: “Nothing more disgusting then walking past second hand smoke, how healthy is that?”