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02 January 2019

UH Bristol is now smoke free

Patients, visitors and staff are not permitted to smoke anywhere on our premises, including inside the buildings and outside within our boundaries (signified by a white painted line on the ground). E-cigarettes are also not permitted anywhere on Trust premises.

The Trust will be holding regular walkabouts to ask people to stop smoking within the Trust's boundaries. Smokers will also be signposted to support and advice to quit smoking.

Ros Badman, clinical nurse specialist for respiratory at UH Bristol, added: "As health professionals working for the NHS we have a moral imperative to do all we can to help people give up smoking and increase their chance of living longer, healthier lives.

"By making the Trust a supportive smoke free environment where treatment of tobacco dependence is fully integrated into clinical pathways, we can support everyone to be smoke free.

"Please do not smoke outside our hospitals; the NHS exists to look after people's health. Even smoking outside can harm our patients by delaying their recovery time or causing complications, as well as those visiting and working in NHS buildings.

"Every time you smoke you breathe out second hand smoke. Around 85% of second hand smoke is invisible and odourless, yet it can spread through windows, doors and ventilation shafts, harming those inside. We also know that one person smoking will make someone else more likely to light up too."

Matt Joint, director of people at UH Bristol, said: "As a healthcare provider we have a role to play in promoting healthy living and offering support to staff and patients who want to give up smoking.

"We receive regular complaints from patients, visitors, parents of children and staff about people smoking in our entrances or near buildings where windows might be open and as a healthcare provider it's important that we address these issues."

If you would like information about quitting smoking please:

  • Visit UH Bristol's smoke free webpages which includes FAQs and what the Trust being smoke free means for you if you're a patient or visitor
  • Visit the NHS smoke free web page
  • Visit the Bristol smoke free website
  • Call the smoke free national helpline on 0300 123 1044
  • Drop into your local pharmacy for advice.

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