People visiting hospitals in Cardiff and Vale University Health Board sites now have a new way to tackle smoking on the premises. A unique initiative has been introduced involving buzzers that visitors and staff can activate if they spot someone smoking, prompting a loud message to cease smoking immediately. This measure comes as a response to the persistent issue of smoking on hospital grounds, despite it being illegal since 2021.
The Welsh Government implemented a ban on smoking on hospital premises in 2021, with violators facing a fixed penalty notice of £100. To reinforce this regulation, Cardiff and Vale UHB has installed buzzers at four locations within their sites, including prominent hospitals like the University Hospital of Wales and the University Hospital Llandough. Staff have frequently raised concerns regarding patients, visitors, and even colleagues disregarding the smoking prohibition.
When the buzzer is activated upon witnessing smoking, a loud message reminding individuals to stop smoking is broadcast through a speaker. This discreet approach allows the person alerting to remain anonymous. The strategically placed loudspeakers can be found outside key areas such as the women’s unit at UHW, UHW concourse entrance, UHL main entrance, and the Hafan Y Coed entrance at UHL.
Catherine Perry, a principal public health practitioner at Cardiff and Vale UHB, highlighted the risks associated with smoking on hospital grounds. Patients, including vulnerable individuals, are exposed to harmful second-hand smoke when smoking occurs in these areas. Perry emphasized the importance of creating a smoke-free environment on hospital premises to safeguard the health of patients, staff, and the public.
The introduction of these buzzers aligns with the Welsh Government’s Tobacco Control Strategy for Wales, striving to achieve a smoke-free Wales by 2030. The aim is to encourage individuals caught smoking on hospital grounds to reconsider their actions and seek support through the Help Me Quit programme. By implementing innovative deterrents like the buzzer system, Cardiff and Vale UHB is taking proactive steps to promote a healthier and smoke-free environment within its healthcare facilities.
In conclusion, the installation of buzzers to discourage smoking on hospital grounds by Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is a progressive measure aimed at upholding public health standards and creating a safer environment for patients, staff, and visitors. This initiative serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting no-smoking regulations in healthcare settings and underscores the ongoing efforts to combat smoking-related risks within the community.