Agency highlights worldwide concern at tolerance for smoking

The Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland today added its voice to the many organisations and individuals who have expressed deep concern at the decision of the Royal Victoria Hospital to build seven rooms in the hospital to facilitate smoking.

Dr Brian Gaffney, Chief Executive, who has just returned from a meeting at the World Health Organization headquarters in Copenhagen, highlighted the concern that has been expressed by health organisations and officials across the world at this decision.

He said “The Royal Victoria Hospital deservedly has a worldwide reputation for the quality of its work. It has been at the front line of pioneering work in healthcare and, with colleagues from other hospitals in Northern Ireland, has worked tirelessly to restore and improve the health of everyone who has needed their help through some very difficult times.

“It is because of its reputation for excellence in healthcare that the hospital’s decision to build rooms to facilitate smoking, for the minority of the population who smoke, has caused shock among those who have been working hard to send out a clear message that smoking is one of the biggest threats to our health. To have a top hospital feel that it must accommodate this habit rather than encourage and support people in giving up smoking is hugely disappointing. It also undermines the excellent work of newer, more local hospitals which have taken a clear stand against allowing smoking in any of their buildings.

“Colleagues from organisations across Europe and as far away as Australia, Canada and America are dismayed by what they regard as a backward step by a high profile organisation, which damages the credibility of much of their work carried out over many years. The dangers of smoking to smokers themselves as well as the harm to others through passive smoking has been well documented.

“The Health Promotion Agency recognises the damage caused by smoking and also the difficulty some smokers have in giving up their habit. A lot of work by the Agency and its partner organisations has therefore gone into highlighting the urgent need to stop smoking and into providing a range of advice and information to ensure that everything possible is done to create a supportive environment to help people stop. We have been promoting a clear message that smoking is very harmful. Feedback from our work has shown that people are responding to this message and many are taking positive steps to stop. We must not allow mixed messages to undermine the progress that has been made.”

Dr Gaffney concluded:
“I would urge the Board members at the Royal Group of Hospitals to reconsider their decision in the light of the concern expressed by so many professionals and members of the public. Our overriding concern is the health of the population we serve and this will only be achieved if people are given clear, unambiguous messages on issues that can affect their health. The Royal Victoria Hospital has a duty to ensure its position, and reputation, is further enhanced by taking a lead role in demonstrating how a hospital can promote good health as well as treat and care for those who are ill.”

END

Notes to editors:

1. Dr Brian Gaffney, Chief Executive of the Health Promotion Agency for Northern Ireland will be available for interview from 7am on 2 May 2003. To arrange an interview please contact Sinead Curran on 07802 299945.

For further information:

Contact Jenny Dougan at the Health Promotion Agency on 028 9031 1611.