A date has been set for an all-out ban on smoking anywhere on Southern Health Trust properties.

The policy will be introduced on Wednesday, March 9 – to coincide with the annual ‘No Smoking Day’.

The Trust approved in March past a move to ban smoking at all hospital and health care facilities in Armagh and across the Southern Area.

The date to go completely smoke free has now been agreed.

And it also prohibits the use of e-cigarettes.

The Southern Trust has operated a Smoke Free policy since 2008, which prohibits smoking in all of its buildings except those registered under The Residential Care Homes Order (NI) – which have a designated smoking room.

This latest move means that smoking will no longer be permitted anywhere on Southern Trust grounds, buildings, entrances, car parks or in cars.

That covers anyone, including patients, clients, visitors, staff and contracted workers.

Medical Director, Dr John Simpson, who led the smoke-free plans in the Southern Trust, said at the time:“With over 2,300 deaths each year due to smoking related illnesses like cancer and heart disease, and with the harmful health effects of second hand tobacco smoke now established beyond reasonable dispute, smoking is the most prominent preventable threat to public health.

“So it stands to reason that people should not be exposed to such a risk to their wellbeing when they are in a health and social care environment.”

Local stop smoking advice and support is being offered to anyone who wants to quit.

For more information phone 3741 5333 or email stop.smoking@southerntrust.hscni.net

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