Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
SLY CIG COULD COST YOU DEAR
Health board backs plan to hit fag ban breakers with fines of £1000
Smokers s who ignore warnings and spark rk up on the grounds of Monklands klands Hospital could soon be forced to pay a £1000 fine.
NHS Lanarkshire narkshire introduced a nosmoking nopolicy policy almost a decade ago in an attempt mpt to rid its premises of the unhealthy y effects of cigarettes.
That policy licy was updated in 2014 to include e-cigarettes. cigarettes.
However, er, smoking within the confines of Monklands Hospital remains rife, and last week we witnessed many people – patients and visitors – smoking moking immediately outside the main entrance doors.
Although gh the NHS policy was designed to prevent people from smoking in such areas, there has never been n a disciplinary procedure for anyone e caught doing so because no statutory ry law exists.
But from om next year, patients, visitors and staff who o breach the rules could ould be hit in the he pocket, t, thanks to proposed Scottish Government legislation.
Airdrie MSP Alex Neil believes the introduction of the £ 1000 fine is a “matter of common sense.”
He told the Advertiser: “When I was the health secretary I introduced the rule that people weren’t allowed to smoke on NHS grounds.
“It was purely for health reasons as it is nothing but detrimental.
“Not only is it very bad for the health of smokers, but also passive smokers who have to deal with inhaling secondhand smoke.
“It’s just daft to allow people to smoke at Monklands Hospital and other NHS areas when it does so much harm.”
Mr Neil continued: “The reason you’re in hospital is to get better; smoking doesn’t help that. They must reconsider their actions as it is so inconsiderate and I’ve got no sympathy for them.
“There is no excuse for smoking a cigarette while standing at the doors of Monklands. I think this new law will be received well by people who don’t smoke as it is for everyone’s benefit.
“Hopefully those who are determined to smoke on NHS grounds reconsider their actions or they’ll pay the fine.”
NHS Lanarkshire is also on board with the plans.
Their stop smoking service manager, Shirley Mitchell, said: “Our no- smoking policy was implemented in an attempt to protect people from second- hand smoke, prevent young people from starting to smoke and offer specialist support for those who want to quit.
“A considerable effort was made, and is still being made, to inform staff, patients, visitors and the general public about our policy to help improve compliance with it.
“While these steps have encouraged many smokers to respect the policy, to our frustration others don’t and persist in smoking on grounds, particularly outside hospital entrances, despite the inconvenience this causes the majority of others.
“The policy has been difficult to enforce as, unlike the 2006 smoking ban in public places, it is not a statutory requirement by law.
“However, the Scottish Government’s plans to introduce new legislation that will support health boards enforce their no-smoking policies is encouraged as those who breach the new law could face a fine of up to £1000.”