First children’s hospital in State to make its campus smoke-free

Temple Street plays role in driving down smoking rates in partnership with Irish Cancer Society  

From Wednesday 13th February which is National No Smoking Day, Temple Street Children’s University Hospital will officially become a smoke-free campus and smoking will not be permitted anywhere on the hospital grounds by staff, visitors, patients and contractors.  Temple Street is the first children’s hospital to designate its campus as a smoke-free zone but joins 18 adult hospitals that have already implemented this initiative. The introduction of the new smoke-free campus policy at the Children’s University Hospital is in accordance with the Health Services Executive (HSE) Tobacco Control Framework (2010) – a five year plan to address tobacco. Speaking about the smoke-free campus initiative, Dr Fiona Healy, Consultant Respiratory Physician, Temple Street Children’s University Hospital said “Smoking is the leading preventable cause of disease and death mainly from cancer and heart disease so it is imperative that hospitals are at the forefront of providing an environment that promotes wellness and disease prevention for all. The smoke-free campus initiative at Temple Street will ensure a cleaner, safer and healthier environment, protect our staff, parents, children and visitors from the ill-effects of passive smoking and illustrate our effects in driving down smoking rates in Ireland.” In preparation for the introduction of the Smoke-Free Campus initiative in Ireland, information has been included in all patient appointment cards since October 2012. Signage has been installed around the grounds of the hospital site to advise staff, visitors, patients and contractors that the campus will be a smoke-free zone from Wednesday 13th February and similar to other hospitals, a blue line will be painted around the hospital grounds to demark the boundaries. Information sessions are being held for staff and staff who smoke are also being encouraged to quit and offered support from the internal smoking cessation service.   The launch of the smoke-free campus at Temple Street is supported by the Irish Cancer Society. Commenting on the initiative, Kevin O’Hagan, Health Promotion Manager, Irish Cancer Society said “Over 25% of people living in Ireland smoke. One third of all cancers are caused by smoking, not just lung cancer. The other types of cancer linked to smoking are mouth, throat, oesophagus, stomach, pancreatic, kidney, womb, bowel, cervical and bladder cancer. Smoking however affects not only those who smoke but non-smokers who breathe in other people’s tobacco smoke. Children and teenagers exposed to second-hand smoke may be particularly at risk of lung cancer later in life as well as having an increased risk of asthma and other respiratory problems. So the Irish Cancer Society especially welcomes this progressive initiative in Temple Street.” For advice, information and support in quitting smoking, call the National Smokers’ Quitline on 1850 201 203.