People in Leeds react after smoking ban announced outside LGI and St James's Hospital

New rules at Leeds Teaching Hospitals mean that smoking is no longer allowed on hospital grounds, including outdoor areas, as of Tuesday, September 1.

This includes Leeds General Infirmary, St James's Hospital, Chapel Allerton Hospital, Leeds Children's Hospital, Leeds Dental Institute, Seacroft Hospital and Wharfedale Hospital.

A spokesman for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said: "We are Smoke Free LTHT! From today, smoking is not permitted on any of our hospital sites - both inside and outside.

"Please do not be rude to our staff if they ask you not to smoke on our hospital grounds.

"They do it because they care and we’re trying to maintain an environment that is supportive of everyone’s health."

Many people reacted positively to the announcement, saying it was "about time."

Emma Louise Watson said: "I support. Last year I was in the respiratory unit for an asthma flare up.

"When I was discharged I couldn't stand next to the building entrance to wait for my taxi as there was so many people smoking. I had to stand 10m away from the pick up point/entrance."

Gill Cooper said: "Definitely support. It's awful walking through the smell and smoke when entering and leaving."

Robert Choudhury said: "About time, smokers who stood outside the hospital doors smoking are selfish people. It should have been banned years ago."

Gary Hendrickson said: "Absolutely it’s a disgusting habit. They should ban it on the public streets too. If you wanna smoke they should only be allowed to do it in their homes."

Louise Woodhouse said: "Yes. There's nothing worse than taking your child for an outpatients appointment when you have to walk through a cloud of smoke first to reach the building."

Elle Lindsey said: "I'm a smoker but totally support this!!!! Great idea."

Gemma Spiekmans Swithenbank said: "Should have happened a lot sooner. It's not very pleasant being greeted by smoking people, many in nightwear, when you go visiting."

However, some people did not support the rules and said it should be up to individuals to decide if they want to smoke.

Christian I'Anson said: "Ridiculous. I have never smoked in my life but the growing intolerance of officialdom is getting silly."

Polly Hales said: "People who are in hospital get stressed and need a smoke.

"As long has they smoke in a smoking shelter I say let them smoke."

Christine Covey said: "I agree with stopping it outside the front door but they should still supply them with a smoking area, it's not all about YOU who don't smoke."

Gaynor Louise Bainbridge said: "Should be somewhere for inpatients to smoke/vape provided or patches given out. Patients who are in hospital cant walk out of the car parks etc."

Sue Hawes "No I don’t support. I think if you are far away enough from the entrance it should be ok. Are they going to stop people eating and drinking too?"

Mark Johnson said: "No I do not. What about the patients that have to spend ages in hospital, just think how much stress it will put on them if they can not go down for a smoke.

"I agree its a disgrace around the smoking area but that is because smokers are not treated like humans. Where are our human rights?

"Smoking is not illegal and until it is we deserve somewhere where we can smoke. They banned it from pubs and destroyed the locals and now you see none smokers go outside with people who smoke."

Sandra Silverwood said: "You cannot smell anything with vaping, it is odourless. Just trying to cause trouble. No one is perfect .I don't like the smell of drink but it's up to each individual what they do."

Other people supported the ban but were concerned about how it would be enforced.

Sarah Widdowson said: "I’m not a smoker but I can’t see how they’re going to police this unless they’re going to throw money at it and my thinking is the money could be put to better uses."

Freddy Fuggle said: "It'll make absolutely no difference at all.

"There's a "ban" in the grounds of Pinderfields, but people still stand outside the main entrance smoking quite freely."

Sophie Lawn said: "In one of the wards, the patients used to open the emergency exit and smoke outside there when it wasn't allowed. They will still do it."

The smoking ban in England came into force in July 2007.

This made it illegal to smoke in all enclosed work spaces.

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Thank you

Laura Collins