Smoking ban ‘reduces violence at hospitals’

A BAN on smoking has led to a massive reduction in violence at four London psychiatric hospitals, according to research.

The study revealed a 39 per cent drop in physical assaults – both between patients and on staff – following the introduction of a smokefree policy, including therapy for smokers, at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.

Researchers say their findings, published in The Lancet Psychiatry, have “important implications” for the introduction of smoke-free policies, not only in psychiatric hospitals but also in institutions such as prisons.

Dr Debbie Robson, senior post-doctoral researcher in tobacco addiction at King’s College London, said: “Historically, cigarettes have been used as a tool to manage patient behaviour.

“Hopefully our findings will reassure staff that introducing a smoke-free policy does not increase physical violence as is often feared.”