The calls come after health bosses in Suffolk announced plans to sack staff caught smoking, while wearing uniform or identity badges even if they are off the premises or in their own cars.
As well as all staff, the suggested ban would cover volunteers, patients, visitors, contractors on health premises.
The moves would be one step further than the toughest bans currently in place in the region, which stop some council and hospital staff from smoking on work premises.
Edna Boampong, from Manchester Stop Smoking Service, believes the tough new steps could play a crucial role in reducing the number of smokers in the north west as patients look to doctors and nurses as role models. She said: "It is a change and people need time to adjust to change but it's a change for the better and its exactly what we need when we are trying to change the culture of smoking.
"No one will listen to a doctor telling them they need to quit smoking if they see them lighting up outside the surgery or hospital.
Resistance
"Most health trusts across the area are trying to bring in no smoking policies but some are resisting change, we would welcome these bold new steps." Hospitals across the region recently started to introduce smoking bans on their premises.
Tameside General was the first to impose a complete ban in September this year, removing cigarette bins and a smokers' shelter from their grounds.
Similar bans are expected to come into force at Bury's Fairfield General, North Manchester General, Rochdale Infirmary and the Royal Oldham Hospital from January 1.
Dr Kalish Chand, regional representative of the British Medical Association, believes such a hard line policy may damage prospects of a smoking ban in public, he said: "I am all for a ban on smoking in enclosed public spaces but I think this goes too far. Doctors are role models and it would be damaging for them to be seen smoking by patients but they are individuals with rights."
The news comes as MPs discuss plans for a national smoking ban at the second reading of the Health Bill later today.
Do you think our health workers should be banned from lighting up in public? Have your say.
Comments
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I think this is definitely a step too far. Are we not a free country and free individuals any longer?
I don't hear anyone spouting about the dangers of alcohol which is also bad for your health, perhaps it was time that something was done about that.
By the way, I am a non-smoker!
Millions of people died in wars to rid the world of dictatorships, even if some of was was based on lies, however it would appear instead of poking our noses in other business, we should look very carefully at our own.
This is the action of tyrants.
We have a choice, we are free (or are we ?)
Well said Sandra!! If pubs are allowed to stay open 24 hours, why can't hospital staff, who have a very stressful job, enjoy a break? With the pubs being open longer, I expect the hospital workers have to work longer hours!! Its getting beyond a joke now!
Drinking in moderation is ok for you "Smoking in moderation kills people" Both of these are fact "Not myths" Our nurses and doctors should lead by example .After all they know what damage smoking does to people.A very damaged ex smoker wishing that i had new lungs to breath with .....Its not about telling people what to do its saying dont teach the young to smoke or smoke where other people can breath your filthy smoke.That kills innocent people "That makes sense"
Why do staff have to be punished for a smokebreak, on or off the job by being sacked? Hypocritical!!!
What people do in their own time is their own business. No employer has the right to impose these draconian measures. This would be a gross infringment of human rights.
I'm an ex-smoker. Well, I say ex, but I still have one now and again. Regardless, I fully agree that smoking should be controlled. In my opinion, it shouldn't be allowed in enclosed areas of any description, part from some area's of licensed bars / clubs that can demonstrate effective air conditioning. That's fine. I understand all that, and I don't mind smoking outside in the cold and rain, should I fancy a smoke. However, I do like to have the choice. I like to have freedom. It's funny that we should invade Iraq because of their dictator, when we're becoming more and more like a dictatorship ourselves! Smoking is not illegal, for goodness sake. Therefore, how can any employer ban you from doing something that is perfectly legally, in your own time? I would imagine that this goes against some form of employment / human rights law and could be challenged in the courts. Should it come into place, I hope the NHS staff challenge the ruling and sue the NHS for B#millions. It would serve them right!!!
smoke where u want when u want cigs are not illegal. Great Britain soon to become dictatorship! non-smoker here too
Nurses should be role models for their patients and families. But in real sense this is difficult to practise. I think as long as on-duty nurses do not smoke in the hospital premises, it should be good enough.
So you want millions of B# to be taken out of the NHS - an organisation funded by taxes which pays for the sick? WHY?
Smoking kills, of that there is no question. How can you therefore expect them to be able to encourage others to stop smoking if they can then turn it back round on them and call them a hypocrite? As has been said, nurses have a duty to set a good example as part of their professional duty.
this is a case of big brother and will never be succsecfull
If Nurses and Docs have to lead by example and smoking is of course, a bad example, then it stands to reason that obese nurses and docs should also be fired. Everyone knows obesity leads to health problems! What are we coming to in America? People need to be accountable for their actions and choices, good or bad. It isn't anyone else's business.
Can anybody say Orwell or 1984
I hope somebody takes these idiots to court and challenges them
its the only way to stop all these PC crazy zealots from taking over the world
Sorry, but what a load of nonsense. I'm an ex smoker and, being honest, hate smoking now, but what people do in their own time is entirely up to them and if they wish to smoke, then sobeit. They are "off-duty" and if they want a fag, that's entirely up to them.
Sorry, but what a load of nonsense. I'm an ex smoker and, being honest, hate smoking now, but what people do in their own time is entirely up to them and if they wish to smoke, then sobeit. They are "off-duty" and if they want a fag, that's entirely up to them.
What a load of nonsense. Off-duty is their time and they can do what they wish. If they want to smoke, then sobeit. By the way, I'm a non-smoker and hate it.
The more I hear the anti this and that lot banging on about how we shouldn't smoke, drink, drive anywhere and be nasty to animals etc., the more inclined I am to take up smoking again, get drunk and run over a dog just because it will upset them. With luck they'll all die of apoplexy.
Just another example of smokers becoming scapgoats. Who ever heard of a smoker causing death by dangerous driving? Why not ban drinking that is antisocial and dangerous or unhealthy foods shouldn't be sold to anyone because they make you fat - don't treat anyone with a sexual disease because they brought it on themselves etc etc
As much as I cannot stand the habit and would love to see it banned completely and made illegal (I know this could never happen in reality) I do, howerever, think that this idea takes the biscuit. I just object to people smoking in public places that are enclosed. If you wish to smoke then do it outside. I have no problems with people smoking on the street aslong as they don't throw butts and matches on the floor.
This is getting out of hand, too many rules. Why cant you smoke in your own time, I see patients in shelters with thier drips on wheels, looking like thier about to collapse having a cig, as if a nurse smoking off duty is going to bother anyone else.
I started smoking about 15 years ago because I saw a nurse smoking. I did this because I'm an idiot. I need protecting from myself.
when will these health fanatics
give it a rest,our boys are risking their lives in iraq for freedom and democracy[allegedly]
if they come home wounded
should they be banned from
having a smoke in a seperate
area while in hospital
what utter nonsense
As I work in an nursing area that doesn't wear a uniform, who is going to stop me smoking if I wanted to, you'd have to identify where I work first. But on the other side of the coin, as I don't wear a uniform, and therefore wear my own clothing, does that mean that I can be sacked for smoking on my days off if seen in public, as I may have worn that jumper or trousers to work once, and therefore infringing on policy? Absolutely stupid, and as far as I'm concerned, if all smoking nurses stood their ground, unworkable. After all, if we have to bring nurses in from abroad, what would sacking 20.000 nurses do for the health service in this day and age.
I smoke. Us smokers contiribute around B#7 billion in taxes while smoking related dieseases cost around B#250 million to treat. Also we die younger and therefore reduce the cost of pensions.
It may be stupid, but it is my right to do this if I choose.
Also why not sack the fat nurses and tax fatty foods. These do just as much harm.
Crazy !! Ludicrous !! Idiotic !! More importantly, sinister. I would like to meet the person(s) who are considering this foolish intrusion into people's lives. I think banning smoking in restaurants and during working hours is sensible and fair enough, but this is plainly ridiculous.