Healthcare staff across NCIC are asking patients, visitors and colleagues to help keep hospital sites smoke free.
‘Keep NCIC Smoke Free’ is a campaign that features healthcare staff from across NCIC and aims to remind patients, visitors, and staff that smoking is banned across all our hospital sites. This helps protect everyone from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.
From newborn babies taking their first breaths to patients receiving life-saving treatment, everyone in our care deserves clean air.
Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable illness and early death. Even small amounts of smoke in the environment can affect people who are already unwell.
Many people who come to hospital are vulnerable, including those with breathing problems, heart conditions, cancer or weakened immune systems. Keeping the air clean can make a real difference to their recovery and comfort.
We know that going without a cigarette can be difficult, especially during stressful times. That is why support is available.
If you are admitted to hospital, our tobacco dependency team can help you stay smoke free during your stay. This includes access to nicotine replacement to manage cravings. If you want to stop smoking for good, support is also available after you leave hospital.
Jason Cram, Deputy Chief Nurse at NCIC, said:
“Our patients, visitors, neighbours and staff should be able to access an environment that enables that promotes clean air or the waste produced from cigarettes. Keeping our hospital sites and neighbouring community smoke free is one of the simplest ways we can all help protect them.
“We know that stopping smoking, or going without even for a short time, can be difficult. That is why we offer support to help people manage cravings and, if they choose, stop smoking for good.
“I would like to thank the many patients, visitors and colleagues who already respect our smoke free sites and help us create a healthier environment for everyone.
“We all share the air. Please help us keep it clean. Let's keep NCIC smoke free.”
Rachel Fulton, Matron for Maternity Services, said: “Many women come to hospital regularly during pregnancy for appointments and scans.
“No one should have to walk through cigarette smoke to access their care.
“Our smoke free sites help protect pregnant women, babies and families.”
Visitors who want to quit can download the free NHS Quit Smoking app. It can help you:
- manage cravings and triggers
- track your progress
- see how much money you are saving
Colleagues at NCIC also have access to free support and resources to help them stop smoking
The Trust’s no‑smoking policy applies across all our sites, and smoking is strictly prohibited. We expect patients and visitors to respect our policy and the signs that are in place.
Enforcing this policy in open public areas is challenging. While security teams play an important role in maintaining safety, their role does not include approaching individuals about smoking. Direct enforcement can place staff in difficult or confrontational situations that fall outside their remit.
The NHS is and the Trust is a smoke free organisation; therefore, we cannot provide a shelter. Installing a smoking shelter would contradict the Trust’s smoke‑free policy and create a space that effectively legitimises smoking on our grounds.
Our approach focuses on reducing smoking overall, not relocating it. We are actively tackling smoking by providing support for staff and inpatients, and by directing visitors to stop‑smoking services that can help them quit for good. The more people we help to stop smoking, the fewer issues there are both on Trust grounds and in surrounding neighbourhoods.
We recognise the concerns raised by our neighbours, and we remind colleagues who do smoke to be respectful when off site and to avoid smoking near residential boundaries or busy footpaths. While smoking is banned on Trust property, enforcement in open public areas can be challenging, and we rely on individuals to act considerately and responsibly.
Our priority remains creating a smoke‑free environment that protects patients, visitors, staff and the wider community, supported by clear signage, public messaging and access to effective quit‑support.