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Forest condemns call to ban smoking on all NHS hospital grounds

Fri 31st May, 2019

Forest has condemned a new call by Public Health England for all NHS trusts to ban smoking on hospital grounds. 
 
Simon Clark, director of Forest, said:
“A total ban on smoking on hospital grounds demonstrates a staggering lack of compassion for smokers who may be stressed, upset and in need of a comforting cigarette.
“Forcing patients off site when all they want to do is have a quiet smoke in the open air is a shocking way to treat people.
 
"A total ban discriminates against the elderly and the infirm who may find it difficult if not impossible to leave the grounds without assistance.
 
"Instead of forcing smokers off site and wasting public money enforcing this petty and vindictive policy, hospitals should provide sheltered smoking areas for adults who wish to smoke."

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