Smoke free legislation came into force on 1 July 2007. The purpose is to protect employees and the public from the harmful effects of second hand smoke. The key points to note are:
- it against the law to smoke in virtually all enclosed and substantially enclosed public places and workplaces
- ‘substantially enclosed’ places includes our stair wells
- public transport and work vehicles used by more than one person must be smoke free
- no smoking signs must be displayed in all smoke free premises and vehicles
- staff smoking rooms and indoor smoking areas are no longer allowed; people who want to smoke must go outside
- managers of smoke-free premises and vehicles have the legal responsibility to prevent people from smoking.
Enforcement officers from local councils have powers to police and enforce the legislation and can issue fixed penalties for breaches of the law. Courts may enforce larger fines. An 0800 number is being set up for people to report possible breaches of the law.
The trust introduced its own smoke free policy in 2005. This goes further than the smoke free legislation. The most important difference is that
the trust’s smoke free policy bans smoking in the hospital buildings and the grounds. This means anyone wanting to smoke must leave the hospital grounds and go into Pond Street, Fleet Road, Haverstock Hill or beyond.
Non compliance with trust policy may result in disciplinary action.
For more information on the smoke free legislation, see below.
Want to stop smoking?
We know that giving up is not easy but support is available to help those who want to quit. The Royal Free Stop Smoking service is available for patients, visitors and staff. For free advice and support for stopping smoking call 020 7472 6393 or ext 33916 from within the hospital. In-patients can ask ward staff to contact the hospital's stop smoking team on their behalf. You can get also get advice and information by ringing the national stop smoking advice line on 0800 169 0 169 or visit www.gosmokefree.co.uk.