Third hospital
starts total smoking ban
By Eilish
O'Regan
Thursday July 01 2010
A third major
hospital will go entirely smoke-free from today, banning patients, visitors and
staff from lighting up anywhere on its campus.
The Mater in
A spokesman said a
blue line had been put at all entry points to the hospital on
"Smoking
shelters previously provided outside the hospital will no longer exist.
"Staff,
visitors and patients are being asked to not bring any
cigarettes, cigars, pipes and smokeless tobacco on to the campus," the
spokesman said.
He said that while
around 75pc of in-patients did not smoke, the hospital realised
that this change would be difficult for some staff and patients.
"Hospital
staff, doctors and nurses are working to help ease the transition to a
smoke-free campus by providing assistance to patients with information prior to
their admission to the hospital and by supplying patients with nicotine
dependency the option of nicotine replacement therapy and counselling
support during their stay," the spokesman added.
"The smoking
ban applies to all people on the campus, including staff, visitors, patients
and external contractors.
"While staff are not being asked to quit smoking, they are being
asked to refrain from smoking on campus.
"Staff are also being provided support through internal programmes and reduced prices on nicotine replacement
products through the
Psychiatrist Dr Brion Sweeney said: "By launching a smoking-free
campus the Mater hospital is providing a clear lead on health enhancement and
promoting wellness.
"It is also
highlighting an opportunity to intervene with those patients who are smoking on
admission by offering patients who smoke treatment and psychological support
for those who want to quit."
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Eilish O'Regan
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http://www.independent.ie/national-news/third-hospital-starts-total-smoking-ban-2241321.htm
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