Following East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust’s decision to become a smoke-free hospital, we spoke to Medical Director and consultant paediatrician Dr. Justin Daniels about the Trust’s decision and how it can support the public in giving up smoking.
From April, East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust will become a completely smoke-free hospital site. This means smoking will not be permitted anywhere on our sites – this includes the areas outside the hospitals, helping to create a cleaner, healthier environment for patients, staff, and visitors. This is a significant step forward in supporting people to live healthier lives while reducing exposure to second-hand smoke, which is also harmful.
Smoking remains the biggest cause of preventable illness and premature death in the UK. Every year, it leads to around 74,600 deaths and over 500,000 hospital admissions. As a doctor within the hospital, I see firsthand the devastating impact smoking has on people’s health, particularly in conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and heart disease.
Although smoking rates are declining, recent data indicates the smoking prevalence of people in Hertfordshire alone is 11.6%, that’s over 144,400 smokers in the region.
We recognise that quitting is challenging, but there is plenty of support available to help. Many people don’t realise that within six weeks of quitting, their mental and physical health significantly improves. Lung function begins to recover, circulation improves, and the risk of heart disease drops.
For those struggling to stop smoking, we encourage accessing support through the Hertfordshire Stop Smoking Service. Options like nicotine replacement therapies (patches, gum, or sprays) and expert advice from GPs, pharmacists, and NHS quit smoking services can double your chances of quitting successfully.
At the Trust, we will still allow vaping in designated areas as an alternative for those working towards quitting. While not risk-free, vaping is less harmful than smoking and can be a useful tool for those trying to quit. If you consider vaping as an alternative to smoking, this should only be a temporary step towards stopping smoking, rather than a permanent alternative.
If you are considering stopping smoking, now is the perfect time to make the first move. Visit www.nhs.uk/better-health, speak to your GP, or call 0800 389 3998 for local support. Your lungs and your loved ones will thank you.
