11/03/2015
All Health Trusts To Be Smoke Free From March 2016
Smoking will be banned in the grounds of any HSC Trust facility from March 2016.
Health Minister Jim Wells confirmed that all trusts, with the exception of the Western Trust who have already implemented the measures, are working towards being completely smoke free.
Under smoke-free legislation, which was introduced in 2007, smoking is not permitted in any enclosed or substantially enclosed public or work place. While the legislation has been very successful in terms of compliance, there have been some issues raised around people smoking at the entrances to buildings, particularly hospitals.
The Minister said: "Approximately one third of cancer deaths could be avoided if people didn't smoke. It is also a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, strokes and other diseases of the circulatory system and to treat smoking related illnesses in NI is costing in the region of £164million each year.
"Health Trusts need to demonstrate leadership when it comes to important issues of public health, such as smoking prevalence. The Western Trust led the way when it introduced a complete ban on smoking anywhere on its grounds or premises from No Smoking Day 2014. I am pleased, one year later, to be announcing that the same measures will apply across all HSC Trusts in Northern Ireland by March 2016."
(CD/MH)
Health Minister Jim Wells confirmed that all trusts, with the exception of the Western Trust who have already implemented the measures, are working towards being completely smoke free.
Under smoke-free legislation, which was introduced in 2007, smoking is not permitted in any enclosed or substantially enclosed public or work place. While the legislation has been very successful in terms of compliance, there have been some issues raised around people smoking at the entrances to buildings, particularly hospitals.
The Minister said: "Approximately one third of cancer deaths could be avoided if people didn't smoke. It is also a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, strokes and other diseases of the circulatory system and to treat smoking related illnesses in NI is costing in the region of £164million each year.
"Health Trusts need to demonstrate leadership when it comes to important issues of public health, such as smoking prevalence. The Western Trust led the way when it introduced a complete ban on smoking anywhere on its grounds or premises from No Smoking Day 2014. I am pleased, one year later, to be announcing that the same measures will apply across all HSC Trusts in Northern Ireland by March 2016."
(CD/MH)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.