NHS Lanarkshire Smoking Policy
From 26 March 2006 there will be no smoking in enclosed public spaces in Scotland in line with new legislation.
This will include any premises owned or occupied by NHS Lanarkshire and smoking will also be banned in any of the grounds within five metres of the buildings. No Smoking signs will give a clear message and will be enforced in line with the law.
Both patients and visitors will be asked not to smoke and anyone refusing to do so will be reported to the relevant authorities.
NHS Lanarkshire has a zero tolerance policy on abusive or threatening behaviour to staff and any breach of this will result in the police being alerted.
The policy has been drawn up in response to the Smoking, Health and Care (Scotland) Act 2005 introduced by the Scottish Parliament which bans smoking in all enclosed public spaces.
As well as the legal requirements, NHS Lanarkshire is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for patients, staff and visitors and will make every effort to protect people from secondary smoke.
Smoking is the single biggest preventable cause of ill health and early death in the community and around 13,000 people in Scotland die prematurely because of smoking-related illness.
Passive or involuntary smoking is also a major hazard to health and is estimated to kill about 2000 people a year as well as contributing to long-term illness like heart disease, asthma and bronchitis.
Specialist smoking cessation services in Lanarkshire are available all year round to offer advice and support to smokers who want to stop. According to research, people are four times more likely to quit if they use smoking cessation services alongside Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT).