New smoking bans could be enforced around Ayrshire’s hospitals.
Proposals being put to the public include legally enforceable zones around the buildings.
It follows a Scottish Government consultation which would make it an offence to smoke within a specific distance around a hospital building.
A smoke-free perimeter would be designed to protect those who are ill and vulnerable from “toxic” fumes drifting through windows, doorways and ventilation systems.
The Scottish Parliament has already passed legislation to establish no-smoking areas outside hospitals and to make it an offence to smoke there.
However, in order for penalties to be imposed, NHS bosses must still determined the distance of any perimeter, the wording of no-smoking notices and whether any areas would be precluded from the ban.
The current proposal is to set up a 15 metre no smoking zone around each building.
Elaine Young, NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s Assistant Director of Public Health, said: “We are keen to gather local views on the three key matters as well as others, such as the use of Nicotine Vapour Products (NPVs).
“We have produced a short survey to capture the thoughts of Ayrshire and Arran residents, patients and staff and would encourage people to take a few minutes to complete it.
“We will collate comments and submit them to the Scottish Government for consideration.
“And will then use the guidance, which will be produced by Scottish Government, to refresh our current Smoke Free Grounds Policy.”
To complete the survey, visit www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/SmokeFreeGroundsConsultation before Friday, December 13.
