I was contacted last week by the Bolton Evening News.
The Royal Bolton Hospital is reviewing its smoking policy. As things stand smoking is banned everywhere.
Like other hospitals however the Royal Bolton has found a comprehensive ban difficult to enforce so management is considering reinstalling its smoking shelters in the hope that they can control where people light up.
In partnership with the Evening News the hospital has decided to consult the public before reaching a decision.
The paper wanted Forest's opinion, which I was happy to give them. I also forwarded some reports about other hospitals that have abandoned smoking bans in favour of smoking shelters.
I can't vouch for their current status but the featured hospitals were Bradford Royal Infirmary (October 2012), Royal Bournemouth Hospital (June 2010) and Great Western Hospital in Swindon (September 2009).
You can read the Evening News report, with my comments, here – Hospital smoking shelters: for and against.
You can also vote online. At the time of writing the vote was marginally in favour of reinstating the smoking shelters – 53 per cent in favour, 47 per cent against.
To have your say visit Should the Royal Bolton Hospital reinstate its smoking shelters?.