Smoke Free Site Policy

Introduction

Tobacco smoking remains the single greatest cause of preventable illness and premature death in England. (NICE Public Health Guidance 48,November 2013). A total ban on smoking in the buildings and grounds of secondary care services compliments the duty of care on healthcare staff and the organisation to protect the health of people using their services and promote healthy behaviour.

The Public Health White Paper, Choosing Health, makes a clear commitment to secure a smoke free NHS.

The Health Act 2006 sets out that premises that are open to the public, or are used as a place of work by more than one person are to be smoke free in England. This is reinforced by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence publication Smoking cessation in secondary care: acute, maternity and mental health services.

Section 2(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 places a duty on employers to “provide and maintain a safe working environment which is, as far as is reasonably practicable, safe and without risks to health and adequate as regards facilities and arrangements for their welfare at work.”

Ashford & St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (hereinafter referred to as the Trust) has a responsibility for the maintenance and, wherever possible, improvement of the health of its patients, visitors, contractors, staff and the wider public it serves. The Trust acknowledges that breathing other people’s smoke is both a public health hazard and welfare issue, proven to cause ill health.

Second hand smoke (breathing other people’s tobacco smoke) has now been shown to cause lung cancer and heart disease in non- smokers as well as many other illnesses and minor conditions.

This policy recognises that second hand smoke adversely affects the health of all employees. It is not concerned with whether anyone smokes but where they smoke and the effect it has on patients, visitors, colleagues and other members of the wider health community. It is also concerned with the exclusion of such preventable carcinogenic substances in the locality of the Trust’s hospital sites.

The Trust actively encourages its employees to refrain from smoking both in their own interests and as representatives of a major public body whose purpose is to improve health.

Policy Details

See also:

• Health and Safety Policy
• Alcohol and Drugs at Work
• Dress Code Policy
• Fire Policy
• Disciplinary Policy