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ÃÛÌÒAPP > News > Trust’s plea to take smoking away from newborns’ first breaths

Trust’s plea to take smoking away from newborns’ first breaths

ÃÛÌÒAPP Hospitals is launching a targeted smoke-free campaign to move smokers away from outside its maternity department at the RVI.

Picture of a group of midwives outside the Leazes Wing with the new no smoking signage on display.

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The trust, which is smoke free across all sites, has pleaded with smokers to stop smoking on their hospital grounds for years, especially outside its maternity department and children’s hospital.

Purple signage on the window at the RVI. It has the text "Thank you for not smoking. We are a smoke free site. This means you cannot smoke in our hospital buildings and grounds.
New smokefree signage outside the entrance to the maternity department

However, people still gather outside to light-up, despite data from their latest smoke free survey showing that 92% of people were aware the trust was smoke free and 87% agree that it should be a smoke free site.

While there have always been measures in place to discourage smokers, the trust is taking up their campaign by targeting people outside maternity.

Claire Lisle, midwife lead for public health, said: “We are a Smokefree hospital site which is important for protecting the health of our mums and new babies. The risks of smoking tobacco and inhaling second-hand smoke are well known. We can offer support for tobacco dependency during pregnancy so all families can welcome their newborn into a smoke free home.

“When you smoke tobacco, the harmful chemicals go into the air around you and are breathed in by others around you. For everyone’s wellbeing and especially new babies, exposure to second hand smoke must be avoided on the hospital site, a place which should be safe.

“Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your baby and family and we’re here to help. Please speak with your midwife or any maternity care provider for support or contact our specialist maternity team.”

If you are being cared for as a patient in hospital, the trust can support you to quit smoking for good. Last year the tobacco dependency service saw over 300 patients and 37% of them made a quit attempt.

Angela Clark, tobacco dependency service lead said “Smoking is an addiction, and we need to remember that our patients who smoke also need support around that addiction while they are being cared for by us.

“We have a dedicated team of tobacco dependency advisors who can support patients with their tobacco dependence whilst in hospital. They provide advice and behavioural support alongside access to nicotine replacement therapy to manage nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

“Please ask us if you would like help quitting smoking, we can help you live a healthier life by quitting for good.”

Visitors can find support to quit smoking on the , . You can also visit for tips, advice and local quit support.

Picture of a red bollard cover with the text "You are in a smoke free zone".
“You are in a smoke free zone” bollards outside the Leazes Wing at the RVI

While the trust will initially target smokers outside maternity, their plan is to roll this out across hospital sites. It includes:

  • Delivering advice to people who are smoking and vaping at hospital entrances.
  • Improved information about the tobacco dependency service.
  • Updated messages on our Tannoy systems at the RVI and Freeman hospitals.