The Scotsman

‘Smokers should get e-cigs in NHS hospitals’

- By ANGUS HOWARTH

Smokers should be permitted to use e-cigarettes on NHS sites, leading doctors have said.

Meanwhile, smoking cessation services should be an “opt out” element of a smoker’snhscare,according to a new report on how the NHS treats smoking addiction.

Such a move could double quit rates, the authors said.

The report from the Royal College of Physicians (RCP) also calls for e-cigarettes to be used on NHS sites to support smokers to remain smoke-free.

It said that at present smokers are admitted and discharged without being asked if they are a smoker or offered help to quit.

The report also calls for new legislatio­n requiring hospitals to implement completely smoke-free grounds because adherence to current guidance is “patchy”.

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