Sligo University Hospital Reinforces its 'Tobacco Free Campus' Policy

To coincide with World No Tobacco Day on 31 May, Sligo University Hospital (SUH) in a continued commitment to providing a safe and healthy environment for patients, staff, and visitors is reinforcing its Tobacco Free Campus policy. This initiative underscores the hospital’s dedication to a healthy environment and illustrates the hospital's ongoing journey to being a smoke and vape-free campus with the aim of preventing tobacco-related illness and promoting overall wellness within the community.

The new revised policy was implemented on the 29 May. It is being promoted hospital wide through the use of indoor and outdoor signage, audio messaging at the main entrance and the ED entrance and visual messaging on screens. New signage has been erected across the grounds of the hospital which helps to highlight the requirements at some of the highest traffic areas of the hospital. Information and support stands were also held in the main foyer of the hospital to highlight the new policy, negative impacts of smoking on health and promote the benefits of smoking cessations.

1 in 2 smokers will die from a tobacco-related disease. Every week, over 100 people die and over 1,000 people are hospitalised in Ireland from smoking-related illness.

The hospital is applying a zero tolerance approach to smoking on hospital grounds and is seeking the support of the local community to help achieve this. This is in the interest of the health and wellbeing of both the hospital community and the wider Sligo population.

All patients, visitors and staff are expected to comply with Sligo University Hospitals ‘Tobacco Free Campus Policy’ while on site.

In exceptional circumstances, an exception to the policy may be granted to a patient and a designated de-escalation area has been identified for this reason primarily, in accordance with the HSE Tobacco Free Campus Policy.

Grainne McCann, Hospital Manager at Sligo University Hospital said: “Our mission is to support the health and well-being of every individual who walks through our doors. Reinforcing a tobacco-free campus is not only a reflection of our values, but it also sets a powerful example for the community we serve.

“Providing a smoke free environment and having no designated space to smoke on campus sends a clear message that this hospital is committed to protecting and promoting the health of our patients, staff and all who visit.

“Smoking actively harms patients and while I strongly believe in a zero tolerance to smoking on the grounds of SUH, the team and I here want this approach to be supportive and positive. We have included access to support information on our signage and also for our patients, including replacement therapies while an inpatient.

“I am urging everyone in the Sligo community to support this campaign in order to minimize the harm that smoking causes people who visit our hospital. Our goal is to bring about a significant shift that will benefit the health and well-being of the larger Sligo community for many years to come.”

Dr Diarmaid Hughes, Cardiologist at Sligo University Hospital added: “The most preventable cause of illness and death is smoking. Smoking is one of the most significant risk factors for cardiovascular disease. It damages the lining of your arteries, raises blood pressure, reduces oxygen in your blood, and dramatically increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Quitting smoking is the single most effective step you can take to protect your heart and improve your overall health.

“Second hand smoke is not just an inconvenience, it can increase your risk of developing illnesses such as heart disease, stroke and lung cancer.

“Hospitals are meant to be places for recovery. As medical professionals, we should do everything in our ability to keep people well, including helping patients manage chronic illnesses and injuries and assisting them in recovering from illnesses. All of these goals are undermined by smoking anywhere close to the hospital grounds.

“We aim to de-normalise tobacco use and support people to quit smoking. Patients, visitors and staff in Sligo University Hospital have a legal right to a smoke-free environment.”

Tobacco Free Campus policies ensure an environment that promotes and protects health, and supports those who want to stop smoking.

Morna O'Hanlon, Health Promotion and Improvement Officer, Sligo University Hospital added: “Reinforcing the Tobacco Free Campus Policy in SUH is key to achieving a health promoting environment and SUH is committed to supporting patients and staff who wish to quit smoking by providing access to smoking cessation supports on-site in line with the HSE QUIT service. This service can double your chances of quitting smoking by providing one to one behavioural support and free Nicotine Replacement Therapy to help manage cigarette cravings and withdrawals. It's never too late to quit smoking and the HSE QUIT service is here to help.”

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HSE Stop smoking clinics are FREE as part of a package of supports on offer to people who quit smoking through the HSE Quit Service.

Photo caption:
Dr Diarmaid Hughes, Cardiologist at Sligo University Hospital and Grainne McCann, Hospital Manager at Sligo University Hospital promoting Tobacco Free Campus at SUH.