New law supports NHS Tayside No Smoking Policy
Written by Malcolm Finlayson on 05/09/2022
New legislation introduced by the Scottish Government comes into force today making it an offence to smoke within 15 metres of a hospital building.
The new law supports NHS Tayside’s existing No Smoking Policy which makes all NHS Tayside premises and grounds smoke free, a policy which is line with all Health Board sites across Scotland.
The smoking legislation introduced by the Scottish Government extends the ban on smoking indoors to a 15 metre perimeter outside hospital buildings. This includes areas under awnings and other structures.
This means that anyone smoking within 15 metres of a hospital can face a fixed penalty notice of £50 or a fine of up to £1000 if taken to court. The legislation will be enforced by Local Authority Environmental Health Officers.
Dr Emma Fletcher, NHS Tayside Director of Public Health, said, “NHS Tayside’s no smoking policy is in place to protect and improve the health and wellbeing of the people using our services.
“We hope that this new law will further encourage people to support our no smoking policy and to take the opportunity to seek help to stop smoking if they wished.
“By supporting our No Smoking Policy, people can help our hospital sites stay smoke free for the benefits of our patients, staff and visitors.”
NHS Tayside’s free Quit Your Way services provide smoking cessation services and information about support available to NHS staff, patients and members of the public, including the availability of Nicotine Replacement Therapy. Help is also in place for patients that smoke to help them remain smoke free while in hospital.
Giving up smoking is the single most important lifestyle decision that anyone can make to improve their health immediately. Anyone who wants to stop smoking can visit any local community pharmacy or call Quit Your Way on 01382 424127 to find out about all the ways NHS Tayside can help support people to become smoke free.
Anyone wishing to find out more about the Quit Your Way programme which offers support and free products can also follow our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nhstaysidequityourway
For more information on the new legislation, visit gov.scot/nosmokingzones
