Hywel Dda Health Board goes smoke free

 

To protect non-smokers Hywel Dda Health Board has put in place a Smoke Free Policy, as required by Welsh Government in recognition of its responsibility to promote public health to all its employees, patients and visitors. This will ensure the right of everyone to breathe smoke free air on all Hywel Dda Health Board sites.   

 

Whilst the majority of its grounds were previously designated as smoke free under former organisations’ policies, the Health Board has introduced this new policy to ensure a consistent approach across all its sites. It will achieve compliance with current smoke free legislation, encourage people to give up smoking and provide an example of good practice to the community. 

 

The new policy will cover all Hywel Dda Health Board premises and grounds and will apply to all members of the public, patients (except for those residing in residential mental health units who will be exempt under the Smoke Free Premises (etc) Wales Regulations 2007), visitors, staff and contractors.

 

Chief Executive Trevor Purt said “This policy will also support the Health Board’s goal of improving life expectancy of the population in terms of both quality and quantity of life over the next 10 years with smoking cessation being one of our focus areas.

 

“Going smoke free will help us to provide a healthier environment for all who visit and work in our premises.”