Ban On Smoking On Hospital Grounds

[sp1814]

Do you agree with these proposals?

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/nhs-told-to-ban-smoking-near-hospitals-8966155.html

I think it kinda makes sense really...especially if health trusts can offer free support (patches, gum, inhalers etc).

What do you think?

[ChillDoubt]

I really do believe in the right of adults to choose, to make choices that others might consider wrong and stupid, provided that those choices don't affect others.
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I agree, but one draconian measure I would like to see is for smoking whilst pregnant to be made an offence.
It is the one thing that genuinely perplexes me when I see the young mothers congregating at the doorway for their morning snout.
Invariably, one tends to get the "What the f**k are you looking at?" glance shot at me when I walk into work with my puzzled look!

[woofgang]

and how would you enforce the ban?

[ChillDoubt]

Was that question about enforcing the ban to me woof?

[baza]

I heard a woman on the radio today , a reformed smoker and working for ASH, and she said about expectant mums outside maternity wards having a fag, well, as a smoker of many years I had to agree with her, what I choose to do with my body is down to me, but a baby has no choice while still inside the mum.

[woofgang]

yes, chilldoubt. There is no point bringing in a measure that is unenforceable no matter how sensible or desirable it may be.

[ChillDoubt]

This seems the way to go: FPN's.

http://www.bartshealth.nhs.uk/your-health/smoking/

We have 6/8 car park staff who do the bare minimum now we no longer have the company dishing out fines.
They are about as much use as a handbrake on a canoe.
Bar phoning departments to let them know a member of staff has left their car lights on, they have little else to do.
Give them the power to hand out FPN's.

[craft1948]

I have been a smoker for 53 years, do you think that if I was taken into hospital for whatever reason, and I was told I couldn't smoke, do you think this would aid my recovery?

[ChillDoubt]

Bar bending over backwards!:

http://www.kentcht.nhs.uk/home/about-us/news/news-archive/smoking-litterbugs-offered-lifeline-to-quit/

As I said earlier, some need to be cajoled gently, some need a kick up the a*se!

[Mamyalynne]

FPNs for pregnant Mums outside the Maternity unit ? I doubt that somehow.

[woofgang]

...which are unenforceable unless handed out by police, parking wardens or PCSO's...also won't stop pregnant women smoking in private. my sis is a midwife, there used to be a well known idea, may still be, (NOT medically supported) that it was a good idea to smoke while pregnant as it restricted the baby's size and would make birth easier!!

[Mamyalynne]

For dropping butts is a different issue altogether - something I never do.

[woofgang]

craft, if you had a respiratory complaint, or artery spasm then actually yes!!!!!

[ChillDoubt]

I have been a smoker for 53 years, do you think that if I was taken into hospital for whatever reason, and I was told I couldn't smoke, do you think this would aid my recovery?
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Erm, if you had emphysema or C.O.A.D, most certainly!

[craft1948]

I said for whatever reason, you are automatically linking this with smoking!!

[ChillDoubt]

I realise that woof, can't legislate for what people do in private but fagging it outside a hospital doorway, 8 months pregnant, nightie halfway up your back thinking you look fabulous?
Or maybe that's just the one's who stand outside my workplace......!

[SpikeyBush]

This is just bullying. If you smoke, you will only be able to quit when deep down YOU want to. No amount of ear bending by the state, your kids or even your partner will do it. YOU have to want to do it. And I write this post as an ex smoker who stopped 15 years ago when I was ready to for my own reasons.

[ChillDoubt]

Yes craft, the benefits of stopping smoking are felt within 20 minutes:

http://healthyliving.msn.com/diseases/quit-smoking/quit-smoking-6

In the time it takes you to read the morning paper, your health can improve significantly when you stop smoking. "The overall health impact on the heart when you quit is dramatic and fairly quick," says Lichtenfeld. It takes just 20 minutes for your heart rate and blood pressure to drop, and less than a day for the carbon monoxide poisoning in your body that comes from cigarettes to dissipate.

After three months, your circulation will improve and your lungs will be working more efficiently. "When you smoke, there is an immediate reaction to your heart rate and blood pressure," says Lichtenfeld. "Lung function gets better within two weeks to three months after you stop quitting, but the improvements to the heart can be immediate. Smoking puts toxins in your body that affect the way the heart works, the blood vessels work, the organs work. And when you remove that toxin, that allows the body to start healing right away."

[woofgang]

you asked if anyone thought that if you were taken into hospital and told you couldn't smoke, then would it help your recovery? My and Chill's answers gave circumstances when yes, actually it would! Your respiratory complain might be an allergy and not smoking related, but not being allowed to smoke would certainly help to aid recovery from it!!

[ChillDoubt]

I did say I was going draconian, Mamya!

Of course it'll probably never happen, but never say never.

[craft1948]

I have been hospitalized twice due to what turned out to be panic attacks. So you think the added stress of not being able to smoke would help me..........you're mad if you think so.