| They say smoking shelters will not be going back up in the grounds despite today’s calls from a pro-tobacco lobby group that described the policy as “petty” and “vindictive”.
Paul Ballard, NHS Tayside’s Deputy Director for Public Health said, “In order to develop a smoke-free culture NHS Tayside has a smoke-free grounds policy for everyone except inpatients.
“Inpatients are encouraged to quit smoking and are offered support whenever they come into hospital, but for those who feel unable to stop, external designated shelters are provided.
“Developing a smoke-free culture is a long-term process. We have already seen signs of more people not smoking on NHS sites throughout Tayside and there are many examples of people who are giving up smoking as a result of the no smoking policy.”
NHS Tayside stated their position after Simon Clark, who represents Forest, called for a U-turn, saying the authorities had to accept they will never stop people smoking.
Hospital bosses performed a similar move on the no smoking policy at Great Western Hospital in Swindon just last month in a bid to stop staff from sheltering under bus stops along a busy A-road.
The site had been non-smoking since the launch of GWH’s “Smoke Free” status in January.
“I know this business has been going on for three years in Dundee but the authorities have to accept that they will never stop people smoking,” said Mr Clark.
“I think they should as a matter of urgency reinstate the shelters so visitors, members of staff and patients can smoke in the hospital grounds.
NHS Tayside introduced the controversial policy, which exceeded the requirements of the national ban on smoking in public places, in November 2006. |
