Wrexham.comWrexham.com News Posted: Mon 15 Jul 2024 Smoke-Free Environment Officer Appointed at Wrexham Maelor Hospital To promote a healthy environment and reduce smoking on hospital grounds, Wrexham Maelor Hospital has appointed a Smoke-Free Environment Officer. This dedicated staff member will engage with smokers and remind them of the hospital’s smoke-free policies. Smoking Prohibition Smoking has been prohibited in Wrexham Maelor Hospital and all other Welsh hospitals since March 2021 due to new laws introduced by the Welsh Government. Anyone caught smoking in a hospital faces a £100 fine. Additionally, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Council policy prohibits the use of vapes or e-cigarettes at all its locations. Role of the Smoke-Free Environment Officer The Smoke-Free Environment Officer will: * Answer questions from visitors * Refer smokers to the free “Help Me Quit” support program * Remind people of the hospital’s smoke-free policies Health Benefits Smoking is a leading cause of preventable disease and premature death in Wales. By reducing smoking on hospital premises, the health council aims to improve the health of patients, staff, and the wider community. Collaboration with Local Authorities The Smoke-Free Environment Officer will work closely with local authority teams who have the power to impose financial penalties for smoking violations. Support for Smokers For those who wish to quit smoking, the “Help Me Quit” program offers free one-on-one support and smoking cessation medication worth up to £250. Contact Information To report any concerns or share stories, email: [email protected]
Wrexham.com > News
Posted: Mon 15 Jul 2024
A Smoke Free Environment Officer has been appointed at Wrexham Maelor Hospital to help patients, staff and visitors keep the health authority’s premises free from harmful tobacco smoke.
Our dedicated staff want to help reduce smoking on hospital grounds by talking to smokers and reminding them of our smoke-free policies.
Smoking outside Wrexham Maelor Hospital has long been a problem.
Smoking has been banned in hospitals since March 2021 following the introduction of new laws by the Welsh Government.
Anyone caught smoking in a hospital in Wales faces a £100 fine.
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Council policy also prohibits the use of vapes or e-cigarettes at all of our locations.
The Smoke-Free Environment Officer can answer questions from visitors and refer people to the free support that Help Me Quit offers to stop smoking.
The health council also urges those approached by the officer to “treat them with courtesy and respect.”
Ian Donnelly, Director of Operations at East Integrated Health Community, said: “We want our hospitals to be healthy places, places that promote healthy lifestyles – for our patients, for our staff and for the wider community.
“Smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and premature death in Wales. We are committed to reducing the harm to health caused by smoking, including exposure to harmful second-hand smoke.
“We know that many people who visit our hospitals may be facing difficult or challenging circumstances. That’s why our new Smoke-Free Environment Officer will approach anyone caught smoking in a friendly and compassionate manner. And we ask the same of our patients: please respond in a respectful manner.
“I hope these new members of our team can support patients and visitors, whilst reducing tobacco smoke in our hospitals and helping to tackle preventable disease here in North Wales.”
The officers will work closely with local authority teams, who do have the power to impose financial penalties and may visit hospitals to enforce the law.
Help Me Quit offers free one-on-one support from a smoking cessation expert, in person or over the phone, plus free smoking cessation medication worth up to £250.
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