As if they've got nothing better to do, managers at Chesterfield Royal Hospital are considering a comprehensive smoking ban.
Earlier this week the Derbyshire Times asked me for 200-300 words on the subject. I don't know if it's been published yet (it's not online) but this was my response:
A ban on smoking across the entire site at Chesterfield Royal Hospital will send quite the wrong message about our ‘caring’ NHS.
There’s nothing caring about ordering people to walk several hundred yards before they can light up. It could be dark, late at night, or raining. It will almost certainly be next to a busy main road. Why treat anyone like that?
It may not look good if people are smoking on hospital grounds but is enforcing a smoking ban really a priority for over-stretched hospital resources?
According to a recent national poll tackling smoking was considered the lowest in a list of priorities for the NHS, behind even obesity and alcohol issues. The most important issues were investing in new doctors and nurses, addressing response times at A&E, and improving general waiting times.
Managers say the NHS spends £2.7 billion a year treating smoking-related health problems. Well, I’ve got news for them. Smokers contribute over £10 billion annually through tobacco taxation. If you contribute that amount to public funds you don’t deserve to be treated in such a cold-hearted manner.
Behind this policy is a degree of bullying that is unacceptable in a tolerant society. People are no longer educated about the health risks of smoking. Today they are patronised, insulted, and made to feel like lepers.
The public health industry is engaged in a campaign of creeping prohibition. Banning smoking in the open air, even on hospital grounds, is a step too far.
The journalist who commissioned the piece commented, "You raise some really good points."
Hospital managers will think differently, no doubt. The chances of them even listening are zero, I would guess.
As for making the grounds "safe and healthier for all", where is the evidence that banning smoking across the site will make any difference?
All it will do is further denormalise smokers and that, as we know, is the real purpose of these petty initiatives.
Update: The report appeared in the Derbyshire Times in July 2.