Hospital visitors in Hull and Grimsby are defying a ban on smoking on hospital grounds, with dozens of smokers spotted outside two hospitals during a recent BBC investigation. The Humber Health Partnership, which runs the five hospital sites, declared them smoke-free last year in response to repeated warnings and public appeals.
For many smokers, including 66-year-old Julie who was visiting her husband while he received treatment for a serious illness, the ban has caused more stress than relief. 'I've been smoking since I was 14,' she said. 'When I'm under pressure or anxious, it's my go-to comfort.' With limited alternative spaces available, smokers like Julie are left to find ways to manage their addiction on hospital grounds.
The Humber Health Partnership has a policy of moving smokers on if security teams spot them smoking outside the hospitals. However, these staff members have other duties and are not permanently stationed at the entrances to monitor smoking. The issue highlights the ongoing challenge for hospitals trying to balance public health concerns with the needs of vulnerable patients.
Some argue that banning smoking in hospital grounds is too restrictive. Simon Clark, director of smokers' advocacy group Forest, suggests that people should be allowed to smoke outside hospitals, as there is currently no conclusive evidence that open-air smoke poses a risk to non-smokers. He also points out that hospitals can be stressful environments, and for some individuals, smoking may be a way to cope.
However, experts like John Waldron, policy manager at Action on Smoking and Health, warn that simply removing cigarette bins and signposting is not enough to support people managing their nicotine addiction while in hospital. 'Hospitals have a duty of care to provide evidence-based support for patients trying to quit,' he said. According to NHS guidelines, hospitals should provide alternative spaces for smokers to reduce the risk of relapse when leaving the hospital grounds.
The NHS recommends that all hospitals provide smoke-free environments and offer smoking cessation services to help patients manage their addiction. As one in two smokers will die from a smoking-related illness if they continue to smoke, these services are essential for reducing health risks and promoting public health.