Pupils speak out over smoking
Children and young people from across the region have given their voice to a “smokefree” campaign.
Youngsters from Mortimer Comprehensive School, in South Shields, Diamond Hall Junior Academy, in Sunderland, St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, in Jarrow, and South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trusts’ Young Persons Group, can now be heard over a tannoy system at hospital entrances.
It is part of a campaign by the trust to remind people that smoking is no longer allowed on site.
Whenever someone is seen smoking on site, any member of staff or the public can press the red “no smoking button”, located inside main entrances, which will play a pre-recorded message out loud via the tannoy speaker.
Ken Bremner, chief executive at the trust, said: “As a healthcare organisation we are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of our staff, patients and visitors and our vision to become a smokefree Trust, is a part of this commitment.
“Becoming a smokefree organisation will help to create a healthier environment for everyone.
"Not permitting smoking on-site will especially help our patients who are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.”
Ryan Swiers, public health consultant at the trust, said: “We know that becoming smokefree is so much more than just having a smokefree site.
"We want to improve the health of our patients by discussing the harms of tobacco with them and offering practical support to help them make a quit attempt.
“About one in six adults in South Tyneside and Sunderland are smokers and smoking remains the largest cause of ill health and premature death across the region.
“Stopping smoking will bring immediate benefits to your health, including if you have an existing smoking-related disease. This is particularly important for both you and for the NHS at a time of intense pressure.”
As part of its commitment to become smoke-free, from September 2020 the Trust will also be removing designated smoking areas like smoking shelters from all of its sites.
For more about the Trust’s smokefree pledge, email STSFTprevention@nhs.net