Scottish hospital smoking ban a failure
Monday, January 30, 2023 at 10:50 Good news.
An 'exclusive’ investigation by the Scottish Sun on Sunday suggests the Scottish Government's ban on smoking outside hospital buildings has been a failure.
Pictures published yesterday show staff, visitors and patients 'brazenly' smoking outside hospitals in Glasgow, Edinburgh, East Kilbride and Kilmarnock.
Worse, reported the paper, 'not one was fined in the law’s first three months'.
The report features comments by Sheila Duffy, 'chief exec of health charity ASH Scotland', the Scottish Government, and shadow health secretary Dr Sandesh Gulhane (Scottish Conservatives).
Slamming 'the lack of action to penalise offenders', Gulhane said:
“The SNP grabbed easy headlines with this policy announcement, but they have failed to follow through and guarantee it is being enforced.
“Improving the health of people outside hospital grounds was a positive step forward, but people will feel they can flout this ban if fixed penalties and fines are non-existent.”
That in a nutshell is the problem with the Scottish Tories. Instead of offering the electorate a clear alternative to the SNP Government their approach is to go along with SNP policy while complaining that the Government isn't doing enough to enforce a spiteful law that clearly discriminates against the sick and the infirm.
Three of the five photos included in the print edition feature smokers in wheelchairs, which rather makes my point. Another photo (online only) shows a man standing in front a poster that reads 'Smoking is not allowed on NHS grounds'.
To the best of my knowledge this isn't true. In Scotland the law forbids anyone smoking within 15 metres of a hospital building. Beyond that you can smoke on NHS grounds without penalty.
Anyway there was a nuanced response from the public service union Unison Scotland. According to a spokesman:
“We support all efforts to reduce smoking in Scotland, and NHS staff know more than anyone the benefits we all get from living in a smoke-free environment.
“However, hospitals are extremely busy and staff are dealing with the worst waiting lists and waiting times since devolution.
Rules mean that NHS staff have to spend precious time enforcing them when they have more important things to be doing, like providing care for patients.
“And NHS staff who smoke, like everyone at work, should be allowed to do so, outside, on their break.”
Added to this the paper published a break-out that featured Forest's response. It was printed only in the print edition (see below) but reads as follows:
Smokers' rights group Forest yesterday welcomed confirmation that no fines or penalties have been issued outside hospitals.
The organisation – primarily funded by the tobacco industry to fight "excessive regulation" – claimed the crackdown "discriminates" against elderly and infirm patients who enjoy sparking up.
Director Simon Clark also branded fines for breaching the ban "disproportionate":
"“Hospitals can be stressful places and punishing patients for a habit that may bring them comfort seems disproportionate when there’s no evidence it’s harming anyone but themselves.”
He added: "If NHS managers are putting common sense and compassion ahead of heavy-handed enforcement they should be applauded.”
The online report (sans my response) can be read here.
Reader Comments (2)
Smoking bans outside of hospitals are the most shameful kind of bullying of people at their most vulnerable. We all understand the intolerant hatred and irrational fear of smokers outdoors but that does not explain why facilities away from entrances cannot be provided for patients, visitors and staff who want to smoke.
Lest we forget, despite the best efforts of the fascists, smoking is not illegal yet and so to call smokers "offenders' is not only insulting and derogatory but evidence of the pure spite and contempt some of those in power demonstrate against some of the poorest and most vulnerable in society.
Anyone who is proud of using that kind of language and employing such bullying behaviour are the ones who should be most ashamed of themselves.
These outdoor smoking bans at hospitals (and other venues) are an abuse of authority. These is no solid evidence that second hand smoke outdoors is an actual threat to anyone. Indeed, the bulk of evidence (not anti-smoker propaganda) actually shows no real threat indoors either. The anti-smoking movement has gone to far. Educate adults about potential risks; yes. Impose draconian , punitive measures to sate and provoke anti-smoking bias; no!