CDHB Goes Smokefree

30 October 2004

CDHB GOES SMOKEFREE

As from this Sunday (31 October), all hospitals and other sites owned by the Canterbury District Health Board will extend the existing smokefree policy to become totally smokefree.

Chief Executive Jean O’Callaghan said all hospitals have been smokefree for nearly 20 years. But this is the first time the policy has been extended to cover all the premises whether inside or outside.

‘Pre-schools and primary schools premises have been smoke free since the beginning of the year. Cinemas and theatres are smokefree and the public can’t smoke on airplanes. All public buildings are smoke free. It is logical and sensible that hospitals (and their grounds) which are places where sick people go to get well are smokefree.’

‘From now on when you enter our premises and grounds, you are not able to smoke. The policy applies to everyone whether they are staff, patients or visitors.’

There will be designated smoking areas on all sites for 12 months which will make the transition smoother, however, Mrs O’Callaghan said the main idea is to have a smoke free environment.

‘Every year millions of dollars are spent on the health effects of smoking either from smokers or people who suffer from passive smoking. This is one way we can do something about it,’ she said.

ENDS

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