Health bosses in Aberdeen can’t fine smokers in NHS Grampian grounds

Planned NHS Grampian moves against cigarettes slammed

By Gavin Roberts

Published:

OUT OF PUFF: A smoker in a hospital shelter. And how we reported the proposed ban.

HEALTH bosses in Aberdeen today admitted they cannot take action against people smoking outside hospital buildings in Grampian.

A consultation has been launched in Aberdeen on plans to stop staff, patients and the public from lighting up at hospitals in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

Outdoor smoking shelters are being removed from Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire hospitals and staff caught puffing during work hours would be disciplined.

But NHS Grampian today said it was powerless to take action against patients or visitors smoking in the grounds of its hospitals in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

The Evening Express revealed last month the Grampian health authority planned to toughen up its tobacco policy with a zero-tolerance approach. Staff would be banned from smoking during work times – whether on or off NHS Grampian premises in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

Staff, patients, visitors and contractors would all be subject to the new NHS Grampian policy.

Under the proposed rules, smoking would be banned at all NHS Grampian grounds and premises in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire – except rented residential property – and in all vehicles apart from rented cars in private use.

Patients will be asked not to carry tobacco products when going in for treatment at Grampian hospitals and visitors will be directed not to bring any products in for patients .

But today NHS Grampian confirmed no one had the legal authority to fine smokers in the open air at Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire hospitals.

Freedom2Choose – a pro-choice organisation – hit out at the new policy.

A spokesman added: “We believe that the proposed removal of indoor smoking facilities for hospice patients clearly demonstrates both a lack of compassion and the removal of dignity from this most vulnerable patients group.”