Smokers area developed for Tunbridge Wells medical centre
A dedicated area for smokers has been set up at a Tunbridge Wells health centre, sparking fresh debate about the work the NHS does to help people to stop smoking.
The NHS recently invested £2.7 million in an anti-smoking campaign and some non-smokers have expressed the concern that providing a smoking area could be seen as contradictory to this campaign.
Speaking on behalf of the NHS, spokesperson Darren Yates said:
The smoking area will be made available at Pembury Hospital, which is part of the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust and will feature cigarette disposal bins. This move is an attempt to discourage smokers from smoking outside the hospital doors.
Smoking cessation services are run by the NHS throughout the UK and these services provide advice and support on how to give up smoking for good. These services communicate their messages using poster and flyer printing. Tunbridge Wells residents wishing to quit smoking can find out more about the help on offer by contacting their local health centre.
The NHS recently invested £2.7 million in an anti-smoking campaign and some non-smokers have expressed the concern that providing a smoking area could be seen as contradictory to this campaign.
Speaking on behalf of the NHS, spokesperson Darren Yates said:
"We rely on people to respect our no smoking policy and the vast majority do. At the same time we try to manage those who do not by keeping them in a single area which we do not actively promote, but can keep clean and away from our main entrances into the hospital. We offer our staff and patients information about smoking cessation and are helping reduce the number of smokers who work at or receive care in our hospitals."
The smoking area will be made available at Pembury Hospital, which is part of the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust and will feature cigarette disposal bins. This move is an attempt to discourage smokers from smoking outside the hospital doors.
Smoking cessation services are run by the NHS throughout the UK and these services provide advice and support on how to give up smoking for good. These services communicate their messages using poster and flyer printing. Tunbridge Wells residents wishing to quit smoking can find out more about the help on offer by contacting their local health centre.