Addenbrooke's Hospital is preparing to go smoke-free after a consultation showed that the majority of staff, public, patients and other users of the hospital campus said they believed smoking should be banned from the whole site.

There is a national move towards making the NHS smoke-free by the end of this year, meaning that by the start of 2007 there will be no smoking in and around any NHS buildings. Addenbrooke's widened the debate in October last year by asking people whether the entire site, including grounds, should be smoke-free.

Brenda Hennessy, Director of Administration at the hospital, said: "We consulted widely as we were aware that many people would have an opinion about this issue, and found that the majority were in favour of going smoke-free across the whole site.

"As a leading hospital we have a duty to promote health, and we are playing our part by helping to create a healthier and more pleasant atmosphere for everyone who uses the hospital or the site. This is a positive change for all.

"Around half of the smokers we surveyed said that if the site went smoke-free it would help them to quit, but we do understand that some people will find this difficult. We are committed to supporting anyone who wishes to stop, and information and advice are on hand to staff, visitors and patients. Any smokers concerned about their next visit to Addenbrooke's should have a word with their GP or contact OASIS (the local stop smoking service) for support and advice."

The new policy will come into effect on Wednesday 8 March, national No Smoking Day, and reflects the wider move towards non-smoking in public places, both locally and nationally. From that day smoking will not be permitted anywhere on the hospital site.


Notes to editors

Did you know?

  • Tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals in the form of particles and gases, over 50 of which are known to be cancer-causing.

  • Smoking is the single greatest cause of preventable illness and early death in the UK, and leads to heart disease, stroke and cancer.

  • More than 120,000 people in the UK die from smoking-related illnesses each year.

  • Many people are concerned about the effects of second-hand smoke.

  • Non-smokers breathe in side stream smoke from the burning tip of a cigarette and mainstream smoke that has been inhaled and exhaled by the smoker.

Giving up

  • 70% of smokers say that they want to give up (Office of National Statistics).

  • Research has shown what type of support helps smokers who do want to give up achieve this.

  • The National Smoking Quit-line - telephone 0800 169 0169 - provides information about local support services for people who wish to give up smoking.

  • OASIS is the Cambridge City and South Cambridgeshire local stop smoking service - telephone number 01223 723022 or via www.oasisstopsmokingservice.nhs.uk - and support is provided free of charge.

  • GPs will also give help and advice.

 

  • The smoke-free policy is available on the Addenbrooke's website: www.addenbrookes.org.uk/smokefree/policy.htm

  • We would appreciate your help in the countdown to the smoking ban over the next three weeks by reminding your viewers/listeners/readers that the ban will come into effect in three/two/one week/s - many thanks.


ends

Last updated: 15 February 2006