Hospital shock tactics for No Smoking Day

They were on display at the Royal Bolton Hospital to make smokers think about the thousands of harmful chemicals found in cigarettes.

A day-long blitz was held at the hospital yesterday to target patients, staff and visitors and encourage them to quit smoking.

It was also an opportunity for stop-smoking advisers to highlight that people will be banned from lighting up anywhere on the hospital site from July 1.

Smoking is already prohibited in any building and under canopies at entrances to buildings and will be extended to cover the entire grounds.

A No Smoking Day information point was set up in the main corridor of the hospital, with advisers on hand to help.

Small jars illustrated some of the more than 4,000 chemicals cigarettes contain and a large jar held half a litre of tar, which a 20-a-day smoker builds up in their lungs over a year.

There were also carbon monoxide testers to show smokers the effect on their lungs and information on how much money quitters could save.

Tracey Holliday is a smoking cessation specialist for pregnancy and hospitals for Bolton Stop Smoking Service. She said: “No Smoking Day is an opportunity for us to engage with the public about the benefits of quitting smoking and because we are at the hospital we are tying it in with the smoke-free ban which comes in in July.

“From a hospital point of view we like to think more people will quit leading up to July so they don’t struggle to when the ban comes in.

“It’s not that long off so the earlier people start the better, there is a lot of support available.”

The hospital is asking members of the public and hospital employees to support the ban and prepare for it by quitting smoking now.

To find out more contact Bolton’s Stop Smoking Service 01204 462345 or visit nosmokingday.org.uk.

No Smoking Day events were also held at other sites across the borough including Bolton Library and Asda in Astley Bridge.