NHS Lothian has launched a campaign to stub out smoking on hospital sites.

Staff members across NHS Lothian hospitals have teamed up to urge patients, visitors and other members of staff not to light up near hospitals.

The campaign aims to create a healthier environment for patients, visitors and employees, and help protect those most at risk as they receive urgent care in hospitals across the Lothian area.

The campaign, titled All Areas Are Smoke Free, uses life-size pop-up banners which feature seven members of staff asking people not to smoke on hospital premises.

The banners, which are strategically placed in high-traffic areas where the most smoking takes place, serve as a visual reminder of the importance of maintaining clean air and smoke-free environments.

'Cultural shift'

Dona Milne, director of public health and health policy at NHS Lothian, said: “Smoke-free hospitals are about ensuring that our patients, staff and visitors can come to our hospitals and breathe clean air.

“Unfortunately, there are still areas on our hospital grounds where we know people are smoking.

“This is why we’re pleased to launch this campaign as part of our ongoing commitment to promoting health and wellbeing on our hospital sites.

“We hope to create a cultural shift towards smoke-free environments that prioritises the health of everyone who walks through our doors.”

All hospital grounds in Scotland have been designated as smoke-free areas since 2015.

This was further enhanced in 2022 by the introduction of a £50 fixed penalty notice to those who smoke within 15 metres of a hospital building.

Kate Thomas, a radiologist at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People who features in the campaign, said: “Children come to our hospital to be treated for asthma and cancer.

“We need them to breathe clean air.

“Please do not smoke on our hospital grounds.”