Patients, visitors and NHS staff across Bath & North East Somerset (B&NES) will be making a fresh and healthy start to 2019 following the introduction of new policies to make all sites smoke-free, from Tuesday, 1st January.

The move to smoke-free status will see a total ban on smoking anywhere on NHS sites, including grounds, gardens and in vehicles in car parks.

The decision to become completely smoke free is in line with the Health Act (2006) and The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE 2013) guidelines, which state that all hospital sites, including mental health hospitals, and sites where NHS services are provided, should be 100% smoke-free.

Smoking caused over 484,000 hospital admissions in England during 2017. For patients, stopping smoking before or during a hospital visit can also speed up recovery and reduce the risk of complications.

Cherry Jones, Director of Public Health at Swindon Council, said: “The fact that all NHS sites across B&NES, Swindon and Wiltshire will be smoke-free from January 1st is fantastic news and a great way to begin 2019.

“We are starting the new year by taking some real steps to help people comply with our policy, so we have taken down smoking shelters and are supporting those who are looking to give up smoking and switch from tobacco by allowing vaping and the use of e-cigarettes in outdoor areas on Trust properties.”

Cara Charles-Barks, Chief Executive of Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust, said: “As a health organisation, we are very clear that this is the right thing to do, and we are proud to be going smoke-free.

“Breathing someone else’s smoke increases your risk of heart disease, cancer and respiratory problems. Clean air is better for everyone.”

NHS providers across the region have been offering support to staff and patients to either stop smoking or to manage their nicotine dependency while at work or during their stay in hospital through a range of initiatives, including the provision of nicotine patches and vaping devices.

Dr Bernie Marden, Medical Director of the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Clean air is better for everyone, so we are clear that as a health organisation, going smoke free is the right thing for us to do.

“Quitting smoking is a personal choice, and we are encouraging everyone to make sure they are ready for not smoking on Trust grounds.

“There is lots of help available for those that need it.

“Patients can talk to our dedicated Healthy Choices team, and Occupational Health are providing free and confidential support for staff who are cutting down or quitting.”