Heartbeat: Smokefree countdown continues
January 29, 2019
From 5 July 2019, our sites will become free from tobacco smoke. This commitment was made by the Trust Board on the NHS’s 70th birthday last year. The “200 days to go” countdown to smoke free sites was marked on 17 December with messages to colleagues, patients and families that now is the time to quit and make the most of the support on offer with time to spare before the ban.
Last month we launched a survey to smokers and others, inviting them to share their views and suggestions for how this transition could be best managed. Almost 200 people have responded to date with 92 per cent indicating that they are aware of the forthcoming smoking ban.
Smokers who responded were supportive of free nicotine replacement therapy and initiatives to swap cigarettes for alternative material including vaping products and 70 per cent of people said they had tried to stop or cut down previously. Some people felt the ban would have no impact on their own smoking habits whereas others stated it would encourage them to quit.
You can still share your views by completing our short online survey at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/JMXNK8R
There has been overwhelming support for the ban within our organisation and in the local community.
Local GP, Dr Imran Zaman said: “I’ve just heard about the Trust’s 200 days to go smoke-free initiative and I think it’s a fantastic idea. As GPs we often see patients who are suffering from smoke-related conditions, from lung cancer to COPD and so I fully endorse and get behind this.”
Our Emergency Planning Officer, Phil Stirling is a smoker, but he now vapes at work rather than smoking cigarettes in preparation for the ban. He told Heartbeat:
“I decided to take up vaping rather than smoking. I’ve smoked since I was 17 years old, but I only smoke at the weekend now.
To be honest it’s not pleasant to use the smoking shelters to vape as you do pick up the smell of smoke even from just spending a couple of minutes there. That will be a big change once the ban comes in, as although there will be fewer shelters, they will be for vaping only.”
Kiran Mann, Sister on OPAU is in support of the ban. She said: “I think the Trust going smoke free is a brilliant idea. I think it will encourage people to stop smoking because there are no designated smoking areas, so they will have to go further out.
I think it will encourage people who want to quit altogether…hopefully it will be a great success.”
Respiratory Consultant, Dr Arvind Rajasekaran said: “Lung cancer is the largest cause of cancer- related deaths in the UK and lung cancer is principally caused by smoking cigarettes. The decision to go smoke free will be part of a wider action to increase awareness of the harmful effects of smoking and also our efforts to help people to give us this habit.”
Dr Manir Aslam is a GP at Broadway Health Centre. He said: “People don’t expect to go to hospital and work in a smoky environment so if you’re thinking about giving up, now is your chance.”
There is lots of help on offer for smokers who want to cut down and quit. Visit Connect for the latest information and contact the health and wellbeing service for details of clinics at Rowley Regis, City and Sandwell Hospitals with new sessions on Saturdays.