Smokers rights campaigners slam decision to ban smoking outside Leeds hospitals

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust announced that smoking would no longer be allowed on hospital grounds from Tuesday, September 1.

The new rule affects Leeds General Infirmary, St James's Hospital, Chapel Allerton Hospital, Leeds Children's Hospital, Leeds Dental Institute, Seacroft Hospital and Wharfedale Hospital.

At the time, 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."

Campaigners of the Freedom Organisation for the Right to Enjoy Smoking Tobacco (Forest) criticised the move as "cruel and unnecessary".

However, the chief medical officer at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said reducing smoking is a "vital element" of saving lives and sustaining the NHS.

Simon Clark, director of the smokers' group Forest, said: "Banning smoking on hospital grounds, including all outdoor areas, is cruel and unnecessary.

"Smoking in the open air does not threaten anyone else's health and many smokers take comfort from a cigarette, especially in stressful situations.

"A fairer solution would be to provide sheltered smoking areas away from hospital entrances but not so far away that it discriminates against the elderly and the infirm.

"Instead the Trust has put smoke free ideology ahead of common sense and compassion."

David Berridge, Deputy Chief Medical Officer at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “It’s taken a lot of preparation with our local partners and with all our staff to get us to the point of becoming a fully smoke-free trust – thank you to everyone involved.

"Reducing smoking rates is a vital element of building a healthier society.

"Many people are in hospital because of smoking-related illness, and if they continue to smoke it’s likely they’ll take longer to recover.

"As part of our smoke-free commitment, patients and staff will be given the tools and support they need to help them stop smoking, including referral to the One You Leeds smoking cessation service."

Mr Berridge added: "This is an important part of our public health strategy and we are committed to becoming a smoke-free hospital in 2020, in line with NICE Public Health guidance.

"We’re proud to be taking this step and we know other NHS Trusts are implementing plans to become smoke-free.

"By helping to reduce avoidable illness we are also helping to secure the sustainability of the NHS. Let’s all help support a completely smoke-free future.”

Health officials say that more than 15 per cent of adults in Leeds still smoke and tobacco use remains the single largest cause of health inequalities and premature death.

People in Leeds had mixed reactions to the new measures, but the response was mainly positive.

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 were 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."

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.

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

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

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