Temple Street the first children's hospital in the State to be smoke-free

the culture of deference

This is a great idea, but one I would like to see expanded to shopping centres, public buildings and offices. There are people standing smoking right at the doors or blocking the doors causing them to stay open.





From today (February 13), smoking will not be permitted anywhere on the hospital grounds by staff, patients, visitors and contractors.

"It is imperative that hospitals are at the forefront of providing an environment that promotes wellness and disease prevention for all. This initiative at Temple Street will ensure a cleaner, safer and healthier environment," she explained.


She added that it would help protect children, their parents, staff and visitors from the dangerous effects of passive smoking.
In preparation for the introduction of the new rule, information has been included in all patient appointment cards since last October, while information signs have been posted throughout the hospital.
Meanwhile, a blue line will be painted around the hospital grounds marking the boundaries of where people will no longer be permitted to smoke.



He emphasised that smoking not only affects the smoker, but those who breathe in other people's tobacco smoke.
"Children and teenagers exposed to second-hand smoke may be particularly at risk of lung cancer later in life, as well as having an increased risk of asthma and other respiratory problems. So the Irish Cancer Society especially welcomes this progressive initiative in Temple Street," he said.
Today is National No Smoking Day. For advice on quitting, call the National Smokers' Quitline on [IMG]chrome://skype_ff_extension/skin/numbers_button_skype_logo.png[/IMG]1850 201 203 .

Merkin

Jesus when I saw your thread I hadn't read the link - I'd thought the poorly little ones had been smoking fags up until now :eek:

hames

This has been in place at St Vincent's for some time, and it'd be interesting to know whether it actually achieves anything, or is little more than an annoyance imposed by non-smokers who feel it is within their remit to babysit smokers.

Temple Street is a small campus, with lots of street access where people are free to smoke... how much of an effect will this actually have on smokers?

Gbear

I'm fairly sure smoking has been banned on the grounds of CUH in Cork for several years. There's big no-smoking signs on the front gates.

It's a bit of a no-brainer.

Captain Chaos

the culture of deference wrote: »

This is a great idea, but one I would like to see expanded to shopping centres, public buildings and offices. There are people standing smoking right at the doors or blocking the doors causing them to stay open.
.

This. In the smoking ban as is, it says that people are not permitted to smoke with 5 metres of any door or window of the premises but no where enforces it.

To walk in anywhere you have to hold your breath through a cloud of second hand smoke and the smokers themselves blocking up the place.

I wish they would ban it at bus stops and train stations even if they have no roofs.

The Mater hospital is the same, no smoking anywhere on the grounds. You have to go out to the street.

Guy:Incognito

Always thought it was nice of the coombe to provide a nice smoking gazebo for all the pregnant ladies.


You cant stop people leaving the grounds to smoke, but hospitals shouldnt facilitate or allow smoking on their land.you have to run a gauntlet of smokers all the way up the covered area in to tallaght hospital too. Its ridiculous.

Culleeo

Captain Chaos wrote: »

This. In the smoking ban as is, it says that people are not permitted to smoke with 5 metres of any door or window of the premises but no where enforces it.

To walk in anywhere you have to hold your breath through a cloud of second hand smoke and the smokers themselves blocking up the place.

I wish they would ban it at bus stops and train stations even if they have no roofs.

The Mater hospital is the same, no smoking anywhere on the grounds. You have to go out to the street.

This is the key. There is no point in having signage dotted around the place or painted blue lines to segregate the non smoking area from the smoking area, it's all well and good in theory but if it is not enforced, it's a waste of time.

DarkJager

Its outdoors so why should any non smoker feel like they have a right to prevent sick or terminally ill patients doing something that gives them a small break from the hospital bed?

Sergeant

Absolutely idiotic idea. What about a surgeon who is performing complex surgery and needs to smoke a fag to keep calm? Or a nurse standing at an incubator tending to the needs of a helpless child?

It's political correctness gone mad.

DarkJager

DarkJager wrote: »

Its outdoors so why should any non smoker feel like they have a right to prevent sick or terminally ill patients doing something that gives them a small break from the hospital bed?

Well the only sick and terminally ill in Temple street are children sooo.....

Lollipops23

In fairness it always depresses me majorly when I see heavily (as in, about to drop) pregnant women standing outside the Rotunda having a smoke. I don't care if it "calms you down" it's fúcking lunacy.

ger vallely

It's been banned on the grounds of UCH Galway for quite some time now too. As for post #9- smoking has major implications for health. Surely hospitals should not be seen to condone any health risks.

dr.bollocko

ger vallely wrote: »

It's been banned on the grounds of UCH Galway for quite some time now too. As for post #9- smoking has major implications for health. Surely hospitals should not be seen to condone any health risks.

Yes. The cigarette fumes are not tolerated in the car park any more. The diesel fumes are fine. Cos they're totally healthy and normal.

Nodin

the culture of deference wrote: »

This is a great idea, but one I would like to see expanded to shopping centres, public buildings and offices..


........ .

Ja, onvarts to a rauchfrei world.

OneArt

Captain Chaos wrote: »

I wish they would ban it at bus stops and train stations even if they have no roofs.

There should be a separate smoking place on a platform. Works pretty well in Germany. Of course enforcing it in Ireland will be another problem.

Rented Mule

Pubs have been smoke free for ten years and now they get around to the Children's Hospital ?

I thought this was 'all about the children' from the beginning.

Apparently not.

ScumLord

They had the blue line in Galway hospital when I was there a few months ago. Nobody paid any attention to it, there was no enforcement.

mitosis

dr.bollocko wrote: »

Yes. The cigarette fumes are not tolerated in the car park any more. The diesel fumes are fine. Cos they're totally healthy and normal.

Given a choice between combined cigarette smoke and diesel fumes, and diesel fumes, I expect the diesel alone is less harmful. But I am not a doctor, are you?

Rented Mule

Rented Mule wrote: »

Pubs have been smoke free for ten years and now they get around to the Children's Hospital ?

Well no. Hospital buildings, much the same as pub buildings, have been smoke free for quite some time - since before the general smoking ban in fact. This is simply an extension of that rule.

Monty - the one and only

DarkJager wrote: »

Its outdoors so why should any non smoker feel like they have a right to prevent sick or terminally ill patients doing something that gives them a small break from the hospital bed?

I dunno, possibly to prevent themselves from getting lung cancer...Those who smoke know the risks of it, doesn't make it right that they can do so on those unwilling, terminal or not.

RandomName2

Jobsworth: "Hi, sorry, no smoking."
Smoker: "Oh I wasn't planning to smoke in the doorway, I'm just going to light up in the carpark"
Jobsworth: "No - you can't smoke at all on the hospital grounds"
Smoker: "I thought this was a free country?"
Jobsworth: "Well, you happen to be in the grounds of Vincents/ Temple Street/ whatever"
Smoker: "Since when did a public hospital become privately owned?"
Jobsworth: "Look, smoking is pretty much illegal anyway in Ireland, it's the areas outside the hospital grounds that are somewhat lagging behind. Let's just say we're enforcing it here."
Smoker: "When did we vote for that?"
Jobsworth: "HA!"

MurdyWurdy

wish they'd ban people from smoking right outside the door to Holles street so you didn't have to walk through the smoke to get in for your appointments. Even worse when there's pregnant women in slippers and dressing gowns doing it.

There's a sign saying no smoking outside the door but it's not enforced. Was awful when I had really bad morning sickness and the smell of smoke set me off.

Smidge

So you have spent several weeks on the floor of Temple st hospital 24/7 and your only respite is to nip outside for a cigarette when the child has FINALLY gone to sleep having cried solid for 6 hours and someone says "No Smoking here bud" I wouldn't want to be THAT person:D;)

As another poster said pc rubbish gone mad.
You should have a designated area away from hospital doors and windows(where cigarette ends can be disposed of properly and not randomly fecked everywhere).

Yes we all know its a filthy habit but who is being hurt by it only the smokers all standing together smoking and they already know how bad it is for them!!!

4zn76tysfajdxp

mitosis wrote: »

Given a choice between combined cigarette smoke and diesel fumes, and diesel fumes, I expect the diesel alone is less harmful. But I am not a doctor, are you?

His username is dr.bollocko...

Stheno

RandomName2 wrote: »

Jobsworth: "Hi, sorry, no smoking."
Smoker: "Oh I wasn't planning to smoke in the doorway, I'm just going to light up in the carpark"
Jobsworth: "No - you can't smoke at all on the hospital grounds"

I worked in a hospital in the North which was on fairly large grounds, about a five minute walk to get to the pavement.

They had security patrolling and if they caught you smoking they would make you put it out and leave the grounds for a cigarette.

Think the patients that were stuck there got nicotine replacements.

Every hospital I've been to in the North had the same policy.

RayCon

RandomName2 wrote: »

Jobsworth: "Hi, sorry, no smoking."
Smoker: "Oh I wasn't planning to smoke in the doorway, I'm just going to light up in the carpark"
Jobsworth: "No - you can't smoke at all on the hospital grounds"
Smoker: "I thought this was a free country?"
Jobsworth: "Well, you happen to be in the grounds of Vincents/ Temple Street/ whatever"
Smoker: "Since when did a public hospital become privately owned?"
Jobsworth: "Look, smoking is pretty much illegal anyway in Ireland, it's the areas outside the hospital grounds that are somewhat lagging behind. Let's just say we're enforcing it here."
Smoker: "When did we vote for that?"
Jobsworth: "HA!"

More like ....

Jobsworth: "Hi, sorry, no smoking."
Smoker: "Ask me bleedin bollix ..."
Jobsworth: "No - you can't smoke at all on the hospital grounds"
Smoker: "ger outta tha"
Jobsworth: "Well, you happen to be in the grounds of Vincents/ Temple Street/ whatever"
Smoker: "I dont give a fcuk - I'll bleedin smoke where I want "
Jobsworth: "Look, smoking is pretty much illegal anyway in Ireland, it's the areas outside the hospital grounds that are somewhat lagging behind. Let's just say we're enforcing it here."
Smoker: "Fcuk Off"
Jobsworth: "OK"

rubadub

Sergeant wrote: »

Absolutely idiotic idea. What about a surgeon who is performing complex surgery and needs to smoke a fag to keep calm? Or a nurse standing at an incubator tending to the needs of a helpless child?

They walk outside of the blue line and smoke? I expect a qualified surgeon might know about other nicotine delivery devices if he was that effected by it. I am sure people could list off endless important/critical jobs like this, the smoking ban is in ages and I have never heard of this being an issue.

DarkJager wrote: »

Its outdoors so why should any non smoker feel like they have a right to prevent sick or terminally ill patients doing something that gives them a small break from the hospital bed?

Why pick on "non smokers", who's to say a smoker didn't instigate this, it doesn't matter anyway. Many smokers I know, including myself, were in full support of the ban.

Smoker: "I dont give a fcuk - I'll bleedin smoke where I want "

People made all sort of similar predictions about people in pubs, who would be far more likely to be drunk & aggressive and have less respect for others than in a hopsital. But it doesn't happen as far as I have seen or heard.

ger vallely

So, Dr Bollocko, is it best to have 2 serious health hazards, or perhaps doing something to get rid of 1?I mean,changes have to be made.True the deisel fumes are not doing anyone any favors but at least prohibiting smoking on the hospital grounds might be a start and might get more done in the long run.

hames

RayCon wrote: »

Jobsworth: "Look, smoking is pretty much illegal anyway in Ireland, it's the areas outside the hospital grounds that are somewhat lagging behind.

Eh

Sounds like jobsworth is ill informed.

I've no problem with hospitals banning tobacco use where it presents a safety hazard.

But to say that those who are generally opposed to prohibition are "lagging behind" is a little out of touch with the real world.

end of the road

the anti smoking extremists at it again, and not surprised the extremists in the irish cancer society or whatever their called are supporting it, even if it will turn out to be a waste of time, you live in a town or city your breathing in smoke anyway so any of the arguments against smoking are invalid, as another poster suggested, set up smoking areas away from doors and windows

Larianne

dr.bollocko wrote: »

Yes. The cigarette fumes are not tolerated in the car park any more. The diesel fumes are fine. Cos they're totally healthy and normal.

Hardly the same thing Dr. B.

I'm guessing its more a preventative measure. Hospitals are places to provide healthcare, and to promote health and treat illnesses. Looks a bit silly when hospitals are trying to promote a health lifestyle while at their entrances, there's groups of patients and staff puffing away. I know making an area of the hospital smoke-free won't necessarily stop people from smoking, but it causes them more effort to go for a smoke which may make them smoke less.

Always found it funny how at the entrance to the smoking cessation clinic at James's hospital, there is always a gang of smokers there. Feel sorry for the people going into the clinic having to pass those people and the cloud of smoke they produce.

iguy

Sergeant wrote: »

Absolutely idiotic idea. What about a surgeon who is performing complex surgery and needs to smoke a fag to keep calm? Or a nurse standing at an incubator tending to the needs of a helpless child?

It's political correctness gone mad.

Goodness me, I smoke, however I wouldn't like to think a surgeon would have to depend on a fag to keep calm.
I've got surgery done before myself and it actually at this moment terrifies me to think a surgeon would have needed a fag to keep calm.
Anyway, people don't need a cigarette and shouldn't need a cigarette to keep/be/get calm, I myself don't smoke when I'm bad humour, which some people find quiet odd.

I agree with the ban of smoking in a hospitals campus. I'd even go as far to say I agree to a ban in all public places, i.e. all outdoors public places.
I very rarely smoke in public places, if in a pub I'll obviously will smoke in the designated area.
I believe people that don't smoke should not have to breath in second hand smoke.

Do it in the privacy of your own home!!!

chughes

Had reason to visit Beaumont Hospital on a daily basis recently and even though it has no smoking signs and the smokers hut is boarded up, people still smoked in the area just in front of the door. I hate having to slalom through the clouds of cigarette smoke but I wonder how they could police the ban.

wolfpawnat

Sergeant wrote: »

Absolutely idiotic idea. What about a surgeon who is performing complex surgery and needs to smoke a fag to keep calm? Or a nurse standing at an incubator tending to the needs of a helpless child?

I am not a smoker, in fact I fúcking detest the habit, but parents and staff should have somewhere AWAY from doors or windows to children's wards, etc to smoke in my opinion. Just because I hate it doesn't mean that anyone who does should be like pariahs. And a shelter for them too.

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

Always thought it was nice of the coombe to provide a nice smoking gazebo for all the pregnant ladies.

Lollipops23 wrote: »

In fairness it always depresses me majorly when I see heavily (as in, about to drop) pregnant women standing outside the Rotunda having a smoke. I don't care if it "calms you down" it's fúcking lunacy.

There is nothing I love more than trying to get into the Rotunda and having to hold my breath for all the women and their partners smoking right in the doorway. :rolleyes: And contrary to some people's beliefs, they're not all Jacinta's and Stacey's!

It is nine months ladies, it won't kill you! Nothing is worse than seeing a woman in her nightdress smoking like a chimney as she i's in labour. They the whole area inside the door stinks of cigarettes, and thats where the cafe and check-in area is!

DonkeyStyle \o/

mitosis wrote: »

Given a choice between combined cigarette smoke and diesel fumes, and diesel fumes, I expect the diesel alone is less harmful. But I am not a doctor, are you?

Have a read of http://www.epa.ie/whatwedo/monitoring/air/monitor/
Traffic fumes are awful shite.

Rothmans

Any hospital I've been to with this ban in place, I've seen people smoking regardless.
Security couldn't be bothered with it tbh. It'd be foolish for hospital staff to ask patients to leave the grounds, potentially putting the patient at risk, and possibly leaving the hospital liable for that patient, as that patient is, after all, in the care of the hospital.
Secondly, I think it can only be seen as an aspiration, as there is no legal basis for it. What can a member of hospital staff do to a patient if he wants to have a smoke in the open air? Nothing, as its perfectly legal to do so.
As I said, it's just an aspiration in reality, an unrealistic one at that.

end of the road

iguy wrote: »

I agree to a ban in all public places, i.e. all outdoors public places.

why? its out doors, the smoke goes up in the air, you will hardly breathe in any unless your right beside a smker, such a bann would be pointless and cost to much to enforce

iguy wrote: »

I believe people that don't smoke should not have to breath in second hand smoke.

they all ready are from cars and so on so that argument is invalid.

iguy wrote: »

Do it in the privacy of your own home!!!

no, do it wherever you want out doors, if you want "smoke free" move to the country, i'm a non smoker by the way but i believe its not my place to tell anyone else whether they should smoke or not, its their choice and business, not mine

RayCon

rubadub wrote: »

People made all sort of similar predictions about people in pubs, who would be far more likely to be drunk & aggressive and have less respect for others than in a hopsital. But it doesn't happen as far as I have seen or heard.

Ive been unlucky enough to have had to visit A&E lots of times over the last 12mths, at all hours of the day. Best of luck policing the smoking habits of some of the fcukwits Ive encountered.

seven_eleven

I welcome this, but I think there should be more specific smoking areas located a good few hundred ft away from the entrance, where nobody but smokers will go. Some hospitals have this little glass box with seats in it that they can go to.
They have banned smoking in WRH hospital too, but absolutely nobody abides by it.

The sooner boxes of fags cost €25 the better.

wolfpawnat

seven_eleven wrote: »

The sooner boxes of fags cost €25 the better.

Great for the government, terrible for the kids that will be left without to pay for their parents habit!

mikemac1

wolfpawnat wrote: »

Great for the government, terrible for the kids that will be left without to pay for their parents habit!

Terrible for the government, great for smugglers and gangs

ScumLord

Larianne wrote: »

but it causes them more effort to go for a smoke which may make them smoke less.

Might have the opposite effect. Smokers may be inclined to smoke two fags instead if they think it'll require more effort to get to a place where they can smoke. Like with the ban on boxes of 10 fags it may just encourage more smoking.

It just seems like a pointless PR exercise designed to give newspapers something other than the terrible conditions in hospitals to talk about.

Larianne

ScumLord wrote: »

Might have the opposite effect. Smokers may be inclined to smoke two fags instead if they think it'll require more effort to get to a place where they can smoke. Like with the ban on boxes of 10 fags it may just encourage more smoking.

It just seems like a pointless PR exercise designed to give newspapers something other than the terrible conditions in hospitals to talk about.

True, but they may puff on two anyways if they're going back into the hospital. Just might mean the breaks aren't as frequent.

wolfpawnat

mikemac1 wrote: »

Terrible for the government, great for smugglers and gangs

True actually, still the smugglers wouldn't be cheap either, so kids still suffer.

hames

seven_eleven wrote: »

I welcome this, but I think there should be more specific smoking areas located a good few hundred ft away from the entrance, where nobody but smokers will go. Some hospitals have this little glass box with seats in it that they can go to.
They have banned smoking in WRH hospital too, but absolutely nobody abides by it.

The sooner boxes of fags cost €25 the better.

So that we can boost sales of the illegal, more dangerous,untaxed cigarettes in the criminal sector that already costs the exchequer about €600 million per year?

ScumLord

Larianne wrote: »

True, but they may puff on two anyways if they're going back into the hospital. Just might mean the breaks aren't as frequent.

I think increasing the amount of the drug they take is only going to encourage maintaining that level of intoxication. Withdrawals will kick in quicker and you'll want to go out and smoke another two again.

I don't think they really put much thought into these things. It's a moralistic populist decision that's not based on the best course of action. But that kind of behaviour is systemic in Irish culture.

brummytom

I don't get why smoking is legal if it's getting banned everywhere. When I worked in a hospital, we were allowed to smoke in staff smoking shelters (away from the view of patients, obviously) and a huge number of staff - including nurses and doctors - smoked.

This measure won't make them give up, they'll just walk out of the hospital grounds to light up, wasting everyone's time.

michellie

This came into effect in waterford last year. Awful to drive past and see really old people in wheelchairs at the side of the road smoking.

Although i was in hospital visiting a friend last week and you would still see old people at the entrance smoking. I dont know how the whole fine process is going.

Larianne

brummytom wrote: »

This measure won't make them give up, they'll just walk out of the hospital grounds to light up, wasting everyone's time.

Ah but then they're getting a bit of exercise in. Bit of a bonus.

end of the road

wolfpawnat wrote: »

Great for the government, terrible for the kids that will be left without to pay for their parents habit!

and for everyone else who will have to pay even higher taxes to make up for the revenue lost when masses either give up, or go to criminal gangs, best if they stay the price they are

wolfpawnat

end of the road wrote: »

and for everyone else who will have to pay even higher taxes to make up for the revenue lost when masses either give up, or go to criminal gangs, best if they stay the price they are

I hate smoking, ruined my childhood, my mother was more interested in cigarettes than doing nice things with my sister and me, but still it is better as things are now. as much as I hate to say it.