People are still dying for a smoke

The NHS no-smoking policy – which has been in place for nearly a decade – hasn’t deterred determined smokers from satisfying their cravings on Monklands Hospital’s grounds.

An Advertiser investigation uncovered the disregard with which NHS Lanarkshire’s “smoke-free grounds”are treated.

A number of patients and visitors explained their reasons for smoking at the hospital – ranging from convenience to weariness.

Last week, we witnessed more than a dozen patients smoking at the main entrance within just 20 minutes, with cigarette butts littering the walk from there to the car park’s exit.

That main entrance is situated just under 100 metres away from the hospital boundaries.

But for some, that is simply 100 metres too far.

One visitor told the Advertiser: “I’m not going to walk that far to have a cigarette.

“I’ve never been the only one standing here having a smoke, very few people will walk to the main road to smoke.”

Another said:“It’s just much easier to quickly nip out here.”

Convenience isn’t the only excuse offered by smokers.

One elderly patient, with a walking stick by her side, said:“I don’t have the energy to walk that far by myself.

“Smoking is one of the few things I have left to enjoy and I can’t walk that far and enjoy it at the same time.”

Another pensioner who was in a wheelchair agreed, and added : “It’s just a lot easier for me.

“It would take a whole lot of effort to go outside the hospital grounds in this chair.”

A patient revealed:“I’ve had cancer for seven years now.

“I’m not going to let a few signs stop me from enjoying one of the few pleasures I have left.

“Loads of patients and people do it.”

An elderly woman added:“I’ve smoked since I was 15.

“I don’t want to have to stop smoking where I want to, it’s something that gives me comfort.”

Inclement weather was also offered up as a reason for smoking outside the main entrance, with an elderly man telling us:“When it’s windy and rainy the last thing I’m going to do is walk to the main road for a cigarette.”

Another revealed there is next to no punishment for patients caught lighting up hospital grounds.

He told the Advertiser:“As far as I’m concerned the staff know. They pretend to themselves we’re going outside the grounds, but know we aren’t.

“However, I’d rather walk down the road a bit than pay £1000.”

The defiant ones We photographed several people flouting the NHS ban on smoking