U-turn on Hospital smoking shelters welcomed

Bolton NHS Foundation Trust’s board of governor’s were quick to ask hospital bosses how they plan enforce the on-site ban and stop smokers gathering by the main entrance.

Jack Firth, chairman of Bolton watchdog Health Watch, said: “You will not be able to stop people smoking by the entrance. They’ve always gathered there and always will.

“Why don’t you enclose the main entrance to stop people smoking by the main door?”

Dr Jackie Bene, medical director at the trust, said they plan to work with public health at the council to come up with a strategy to tackle the problem.

Dr Bene said: “There will always be an entrance to the hospital whether you enclosed the existing one or not.”

The decision not to build smoking shelters was announced on Thursday following weeks of pressure from council chiefs and outraged people over the hospital’s initial decision to reinstate the shelters after a public vote.

Despite reservations about enforcing the ban on smoking, governors welcomed the latest move.

Cllr Anne-Marie Watters said: “We are absolutely delighted that the right decision has been made.”

Health experts have also praised the hospital’s stance.

Martin Dockrell, director of research and policy at Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), said: “We applaud Bolton Hospital’s policy for a smoke free hospital and grounds.

“The last place you should have to breathe somebody else’s cigarette smoke is when you’re in hospital.

“It isn’t just unpleasant, it is a hazard to people who may already be seriously ill.”

The smoking shelter controversy reached a peak last week when it emerged the trust had spent £3,600 on three structures on April 11 — about two months before it went to a public vote.

In a close run poll, 1,629 people voted in favour of the structures — just 49 more than those against.

Although smoking in the hospital grounds is prohibited, it is virtually impossible to enforce, as it is not underpinned by law.