Ban On Smoking On Hospital Grounds

[sp1814]

Do you agree with these proposals?

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/nhs-told-to-ban-smoking-near-hospitals-8966155.html

I think it kinda makes sense really...especially if health trusts can offer free support (patches, gum, inhalers etc).

What do you think?

[ChillDoubt]

Mojo jo-jo,
I used to smoke 30 a day so I know what it's like.
But I will never understand the logic of cancer patients who continue to smoke throughout their treatment.
When my stepdad was diagnosed with lung cancer, he stopped immediately because he wanted as much time with this grand children as he could get.
I still fail to see why non-smokers have to wade through a group of smokers at a hospital entrance and have to suffer the stench and second hand smoke to boot.

I like a beer now and again. The residue of your pleasure is passive smoke. Mine is urine. Would it be acceptable for me to stand outside your place of work and urinate on you as you walked in?

[sp1814]

Just thought of a possible positive effect - the will be a small number of patients who will use the inconvenience to actually quit.

Still sitting on the fence on this one.

It's a fence outside A&E...and I'm smoking a Marlboro Light.


(Kidding!!!)

[sp1814]

ChillDoubt

"Would it be acceptable for me to stand outside your place of work and urinate on you as you walked in?"

If I worked in the Palace of Westminster, you'd be surprised how many people would answer 'yes' to your question...

[sp1814]

Oh...must leave this thread - 'Gogglebox' is on...

[sherrardk]

There are smokers (many of whom agree that a shelter away from the entrance is a good idea), non-smokers some of whom are 'sympathetic' to the smokers, others who want it banned in hospitals and then there are the reformed smokers (who are the worst of the bunch and can see no middle ground).

[ChillDoubt]

My question comes from this quote that one of my former S/Sgts's had above his office door:

Smokers.
Cigarette smoke is the residue of your pleasure. It permeates the air, my hair and clothes, not to mention my lungs. This takes place without my consent. I have a pleasure- I like a beer now and again. The residue from my pleasure is urine. Would you mind if i stand on a chair and p*ss on you without your consent??

[sherrardk]

Anyone who goes around urinating in public obviously has issues, maybe they should relax and take up smoking?

[ChillDoubt]

(who are the worst of the bunch and can see no middle ground).
------------------
Guilty. And with pleasure. We are the worst because when we stop and get a whiff of other smokers breath, their hair, their clothes and you smell it on your own children's clothes the revulsion and disgust at the realisation of how bad we used to smell makes us vehemently opposed to smoking and I feel genuine pity for those who continue to do so in blissful ignorance.

[woofgang]

sherrard, you's be amazed regarding the oxygen thing. It was a common sight at one hospital I visted both as a reli and a professional, to see people in wheelchairs and walking, inhaling oxygen through their noses and ciggy smoke through their mouths at the same time.
I really do not have any prodnose agenda on this. I don't agree with denying smokers access to certain treatments simply on the grounds that they smoke. The issues that i have are around the practicalities and the problems that are bound to arise when strangers have to live communally.

[sherrardk]

Actually people don't realise I do smoke. I don't smoke in the house or in the car. I don't smoke around people. I don't smoke in the street. If I am out (say having a meal in a pub garden) I smoke at the table if my children are playing (the ash tray will be placed under the table) or I move away from them. Just because you might have been an inconsiderate smoker, don't tar us all with the same brush.

[ChillDoubt]

Sounds like you smoke so infrequently you may as well have a good go at packing up sher, I'm sure your children would appreciate it.

[ferlew]

ChillDoubt, I am the same as you, an ex (50 years) smoker..
Unlike you, I have sympathy with those who cannot quit. I am just so thankful I finally managed it. Yes it does stink (I apologise to everyone who smelled it on me.)
Odd days, I do fancy one still, especially in times of stress.
So, to those rellies, and poorlies who still smoke, my heart goes out to them.

[woofgang]

Sorry, but I bet your breath smells.....possibly also your hair and clothes..
I don't mean to be rude, really I don't. I have got two dogs. I know, although I can't smell it, that to a non dog owner, my house smells of dog. Like a smoker, because I live with it, I can no longer smell it. If I go into another dog owner's house though, I can smell their dogs.

[woofgang]

my post was for sherrardk

[ChillDoubt]

Actually ferlew I always offer advice and encouragement to ANYONE who smokes. My brother and sister-in-law have both given up recently and I've praised and congratulated them both, as I would anyone who packs in.
It's such an empowering feeling too, to know that your determination and willpower succeeded.
For anyone packing in, you'll get nothing but encouragement from me.

[sherrardk]

I smoke outside so I am not sat in a pool of smoke. I may or may not smell, but that is for me to worry about. Before I leave the house, I either clean my teeth (in the morning) or have a mint. I am incredibly snobby about my smoking in that I don't wish to smell like an ash tray. However, if others do wish to smell like an ash tray or a damp dog (not one of my fav's) it's up to them. I can understand health professionals concern on this subject but I just wish other people would let people get on with lives. Life is too short to be getting your knickers in a twist about stuff that doesn't concern you.

[woofgang]

I agree that everyone should be able to do what they choose up to the point where if affects others. As I said earlier, I don't agree that anyone has the right to "health police" you or me or anyone; or to deny people, who have paid into the health service, treatment on the sole basis of their lifestyle choices.
As I said though, I do think that staff who choose to work in hospitals should be expected not to come to work smelling of smoke - or perspiration or strong perfume come to that -and yes I have had to address those issues with staff as well.
There are practicalities about patients and visitors smoking and these need to be addressed in ways that do not cost the NHS money IMO.

[ChillDoubt]

I can understand health professionals concern on this subject but I just wish other people would let people get on with lives.
-------------------
But that's because it's our job to help you in prolonging it in good health. Yes, some need to be cajoled gently, some have to told in no uncertain terms that their lifestyle is and will have a major impact on their lives and their families.
Some surgeons won't operate on some people until they have shed a little bit of weight, if the surgeon is committed then so should the patient be so.
It's no different with smoking. Why have a femoral artery bypass and continue to smoke?
Patients that do are wasting their lives and the surgeons and staff's time, care and effort.

My stepdad couldn't be operated on but he did everything else asked of him during chemotherapy and got 20 months after diagnosis, time he used to maximum effect.

[ferlew]

I do the same ChillDoubt, I tell folks I have been trying for 40 years, had hypnotism, pills, patches, drawing pins in my ears. AKA acupuncture.
My generation were brainwashed TO smoke, "You're never alone with a Strand" "Cool as a mountain stream" and all that twaddle.

[sherrardk]

I get that but it's so patronising all the time. I used to be a teacher, I don't go round correcting spellings and grammar or telling stupid people how stupid they are.