Medical officer isimpressed withsmoke free policy

“Since the introduction of smoke-free legislation in 2007 there has been a consistent stream of complaints about people smoking in secondary care settings such as hospital entrances and in their grounds.

“The vast majority of staff, patients and visitors to HSC facilities in the Western Trust area want a completely smoke free environment and are in agreement that smoking outside entrances to such facilities is unacceptable.

“I fully endorse this action taken by the Western Trust as it promotes a healthier, cleaner environment which can only be beneficial to the health of all staff, users and visitors to these facilities,” he said.

Elaine Way CBE, Chief Executive of the Western Trust said: “When we embarked on this Smokefree journey, we knew it would be challenging and our aim is to achieve ‘100% of what is achievable.’

“We need the help of the public – we hope that people will comply with the new policy and have civic pride. We realise that our Smokefree sites will take time to achieve and there are many challenges ahead. However, the role of the Western Trust is to provide healthcare and enable people to live healthier more fulfilled lives.

“Stopping smoking, at any age, is the single most important thing a person can do to improve their health and well-being and we are very pleased to be able to provide an environment which is supportive to helping smokers to quit.

“The absence of smoke in the environment will greatly enhance their recovery. It is important not to focus just on policing the changes but on encouraging a cultural shift, so it becomes unthinkable that anyone - staff, patients or visitors would smoke on a Western Trust site.”

Gerry Bleakney, Strategic Lead for Tobacco Control, Public Health Agency commented: “Introducing a Smokefree environment across Western Trust facilities has been an important step forward in tackling smoking in healthcare settings, and it is wonderful to see that it is achieving success.

“Smoking affects not only the smoker, but also the people around them – their family, friends, and little ones. We are trying to create smoke free environments which reinforce the fact that smoking is a minority habit, prevent the exposure of individuals to smoking or smoke, and support smokers to stop smoking.

“The health service has an important role as an example and advocate for this environmental change and the management, staff and patients in the Western Trust are to be commended for their efforts in achieving a smoke free environment.

“There also are over 600 free stop smoking services across Northern Ireland in pharmacies, GP surgeries, hospitals, community centres and workplaces that offer help and support for people who wish to quit – visit www.want2stop.info for more information.”