NHS Set to 'unveil' Smoke Free D-Day

NHS hospitals in Gloucestershire will be ‘unveiling’ signs and welcoming the Gloucestershire Smoking Advice Service (GSAS) Information Bus on March 7 to gear up for a ‘smoke free’ future.

The following day (No Smoking Day - March 8), Primary Care Trust and Hospital Trust buildings and grounds will go ‘smoke free’ as the NHS ‘leads from the front’ in reducing the harmful effects of smoking.

Members of the public (including members of the media) are invited to attend the launch events (on March 7) which will include the visit of the GSAS bus. Specialist NHS stop-smoking advisers will provide advice on how to stop smoking and supply information about tobacco use. They will also be offering to take people’s *carbon monoxide levels.

The details of the events are as follows:

On the 8 th March, the Gloucestershire NHS Stop Smoking Bus will be travelling around the county visiting businesses and pubs that have gone smoke free to congratulate them on their new smoke free status (itinerary sent with this Media Release).

The local commitment to a smoke free NHS is supported by the Public Health White Paper ‘Choosing Health’ published in November 2004. This announced the health target of making the NHS (and other Government Departments) smoke-free by the end of 2006. Gloucestershire’s Primary Care Trusts are pleased to be implementing their policies ahead of this deadline.

A smoke free Gloucestershire NHS means that smoking will not be permitted in any buildings or the grounds. Smoking outside hospital building entrances will no longer be allowed and smoking rooms and shelters will be removed.

Director of Public Health for West Gloucestershire PCT, Dr Hugh Annett said:

“Making the entire Gloucestershire NHS estate smoke free sends a clear message to all about how important smoking is as a cause of ill health.

We have to lead the way in promoting a smoke free environment for staff, patients and visitors in order to provide a consistent message about the harms of smoking and passive smoking.”

Dr Annett added:

“An integral part of the policy will be to provide support to people who wish to give up smoking or help to reduce their cravings.”

“This positive move reflects the unique responsibility the NHS has to act decisively and demonstrate leadership on the issue of where smoking is permitted.”

“As the largest employer in the country, the NHS has a duty to protect the health and wellbeing of staff as well as patients from the hazards of passive smoking, and to demonstrate the highest conduct to other employers. It also has a duty to promote the health benefits of not smoking.”

About 70% of smokers want to quit and if they’re ‘serious about stopping’ they can do it with the free help and support that is available from the NHS. For further information phone the NHS Stop Smoking Services on 01452 429345.

For staff or patients who do not want to stop smoking or find it too difficult to go without cigarettes while on NHS premises, Nicotene Replacement Therapy (NRT) offers a much less harmful form of nicotine delivery than cigarettes and can be used to reduce withdrawal effects.