Duncan Selbie, chief executive of Public Health England, has called for a blanket ban on smoking on hospital grounds.
Newspapers report that he told Health Service Journal (HSJ):
"I would like to see every hospital tobacco free.
"I don't just mean you can stand at the front door of the hospital, I mean tobacco-free."
ASH, naturally, support the idea. According to the Telegraph:
Chief executive Deborah Arnott said: "Hospitals exist to protect and improve health which can be undermined by allowing smoking on the premises."
Undermined? How will a ban on smoking on hospital grounds "improve health"?
If you're a smoker it will make very little difference. It may postpone your next cigarette but it won't stop you smoking.
You'll either find somewhere else to smoke - a neighbouring road, perhaps - or you'll ignore the 'no smoking' signs and smoke until someone tells you to stop.
If you're a non-smoker there's no risk to your health if anyone smokes outside so prohibiting smoking on hospital grounds will, again, have zero effect.
My response highlighted the lack of compassion:
Simon Clark, director of the smokers' group Forest, said blanket bans would be a “gross over-reaction”.
"Hospitals can be stressful places for patients, visitors and staff. Smoking is a comfort to many people. The NHS needs to recognise this and show a bit of compassion,” he said.
I'm also quoted by the Sun and Daily Mail (print edition).
My full reaction was:
"A blanket ban on smoking on hospital grounds would be a gross over-reaction.
"We understand why hospitals don't want people lighting up around entrances but there's no evidence that smoking in the open air is a risk to anyone else.
"A blanket ban will force people to smoke further away, which will discriminate against those who are physically infirm or in a wheelchair.
"Hospitals can be stressful places for patients, visitors and staff. Smoking is a comfort to many people. The NHS needs to recognise this and show some compassion."
See Hospitals should lead by example and ban tobacco on grounds, health chief says (Press Association).
But don't worry, folks. PHE is pro-vaping and for some people that's all that matters.