AQW 25725/11-15

Mr Jim Wells
Democratic Unionist Party
South Down

Tabled Date: 16/09/2013
Answered On Date: 19/09/2013
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for his assessment of the decision by the Western Health and Social Care Trust to prohibit smoking throughout all its buildings and grounds; and whether he has any plans to encourage other Trusts to implement a similar policy.

Answer:

I fully support the decision by the Western Health and Social Care Trust to become completely smoke-free by prohibiting smoking in both premises and grounds. This decision is in line with my Department’s 10-year tobacco control strategy which encourages organisations, such as HSC Trusts, to go further than the legislation requires by adopting more comprehensive smoke-free policies.

The Public Health Agency has established a steering group to implement the tobacco control strategy and its action plan includes a commitment to support any HSC Trust wishing to become completely smoke-free. I have no doubt that the decision by the Western Trust will encourage other Trusts to adopt similar policies.