NEVILL Hall Hospital became a smoke free zone yesterday – coinciding with National No Smoking Day Wednesday, March 14 reports ANDY SHERWILL.

But unlike the national campaign this was a permanent move by the Aneurin Bevan Health Board to include not only the hospital building itself, but the grounds as well.

"A spokesman for the health board said that these measures were being taken to ensure a "pleasant and safe an environment for everyone when they visit any of our premises for healthcare." 

Not everyone approved of the plans however and on Monday as the smoking shelters were being removed patients and visitor alike voicing their annoyance to the workmen on site.

The spokesman added: "All Aneurin Bevan Health Board sites will be made completely smoke-free throughout the premises and grounds on March 14.

"The smoke free policy is about where individuals smoke, rather than whether people smoke. The policy will mean that staff, patients and visitors who wish to smoke will no longer be able to do so on NHS premises and grounds. It will apply to all doorways, buildings, grounds and car parks and will protect and benefit the health of patients, staff and visitors."

Dr Gill Richardson Director of Public Health for Aneurin Bevan Health Board added: "Hospitals should be places of healing. A smoke free environment policy will protect staff, patients and visitors from the proven harm caused by second-hand smoking.

"Smoking on the premises increases the risk of fires and creates litter in and around entrances and across hospital grounds.

"The smoke free environment policy will help to improve the environment of the hospital setting, and will significantly reduce the costs of smoking related diseases, reduce costs of clearing tobacco related litter, lead to a reduction in bed days, improve wound healing for patients."

To coincide with the removal of the smoking shelters a team of volunteers were combing the hospital grounds to clear up all the butt ends and other litter left behind by smokers.