The Chronicle

BULAWAYO, Friday, May 29, 1992 — The Minister of Health, Dr Timothy Stamps, has issued a directive barring smoking in hospitals, in a move he expects may considerably curb the incidence of cigarette smoking related diseases.

He said the anti-smoking directive to take root on May 31, would coincide with the World Health Organisation, No Tobacco Day, and would be effected in Government hospitals.

The minister, however, stressed that anti-smoking in hospitals would not be immediately made law, saying he did not believe in enforcing strict regulations against “personal habits.’’

Dr Stamps said smoking accounted for 80 percent of cases of lung cancer. It also gave rise to such smoking related diseases as bronchitis and stomach ulcers.

“What we need is a progressive elimination of smoking in hospitals, and our main concern is the protection of the patient,” said Dr Stamps.

“The World Health Organisation estimates that cigarette smoking will cause about one billion deaths before the year 2000,” he said.

He said personnel working in hospitals and were into the habit, would be discouraged from smoking not only in wards, but also in offices and other rooms. He even mooted an idea of a “smoke break” for those who felt they needed to smoke.

Bed-ridden smoking patients would also be discouraged from smoking.