December 22, 2014
Smoking will be banned on the grounds of all South Burnett hospital and health service buildings from January 1.
Legislation was passed in State Paliament 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 the five-metre boundary of the hospital or health service.
“There will be no designated smoking areas from January 1 at any Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service (DDHHS) facility which includes hospitals in Murgon, Wondai, Kingaroy, Murgon, Nanango and Cherbourg,” DDHHS South Burnett Cluster Operations Manager Ms Peta Rutherford said.
“Smoking will also be banned at residential aged-care facilities, including the Forest View Residential Care Unit at Wondai.
“Patients admitted to hospital or residents of the health facilities will be offered the use of free nicotine replacement therapies such as patches and gum.”
To further support patients or residents, smoking cessation training will be made available to staff.
“The training is provided internally and will provide staff with the most up-to-date information about smoking cessation and the current evidence-based ‘quit’ methods,” Ms Rutherford said.
Under the legislation, the smoking ban will be enforceable by authorised staff members who will be able to issue on-the-spot fines.
“However, our focus will be on informing people about the new legislation and encouraging them to improve their health by quitting smoking,” Ms Rutherford said.
The ban also includes vaporisersm commonly known as e-cigarettes.
