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Smoking

Three in four of the individuals we interviewed  in rehabilitation and continuing care wards said they were currently a smoker. Of those, half said they had been offered smoking cessation advice, but half said they had not. While some people said clearly that they did not want to stop smoking, some smokers who said they had not been offered cessation advice expressed a wish to stop.

"A total ban will help me to stop smoking."

"I would love to give up smoking, it makes me sick."

Several people reported that they had given up smoking with the help of staff or smoking cessation advisers.  The 56 people who said they had not been offered smoking cessation advice were spread over 28 wards. Staff interviewed in 25 of those wards said smoking cessation advice was available. It may be that, in some wards, if people cannot recall when asked, it may not be offered on a regular basis.

Staff on three of the wards housing smokers said that they were unaware of the availability of smoking cessation advice:

  • Glenelg, Murray Royal Hospital
  • East Brig, Borders General
  • Gourdie, Royal Dundee Liff Hospital

There are smoking rooms or designated smoking areas in around two-thirds of wards. In two wards these were particularly inappropriate - the front reception area in one and a conservatory off the dining room in another. 

Smokers have to go outside in 10 wards. In one of these wards, we were told this was a matter of individual preference. Only three of these wards had smoking shelters. We were told it was planned to erect shelters in three more.