SMOKING will be banned on the grounds of the Toowoomba Hospital, Baillie Henderson Hospital and Mt Lofty Heights Nursing Home from January 1 next year.
Legislation was passed in Queensland Parliament last month requiring all private and public hospitals and health services across the state to go smoke free in the New Year.
The legislation also bans smoking within a five-metre boundary of the hospital or health service.
"People will no longer be able to smoke in the designated smoking areas from January 1 at any Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service facility," service executive director (medical services) Dr Hwee Sin Chong said.
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"Patients admitted to hospital or residents of health facilities will be offered the use of free nicotine replacement therapies such as patches and gum."
To further support patients or residents who have a nicotine dependency, staff members from across the DDHHS have undergone smoking cessation training.
"The training is provided internally and has provided staff with the most up-to-date information about smoking cessation and current, evidence-based 'quit' methods," Dr Chong said.
Under the legislation, the smoking ban will be enforceable by security staff at the Toowoomba Hospital and Baillie Henderson Hospital who will be authorised to issue on-the-spot fines. However, our focus will be on informing people about the changes to the legislation and encouraging them to improve their health by quitting smoking," Dr Chong said.
The ban also includes vaporisers commonly known as e-cigarettes.
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