Many hospitals in the Republic do not promote a no-smoking policy, a survey published yesterday has shown. Dr Muiris Houston, Medical Correspondent, reports.
Of 73 hospitals surveyed, 53 had tobacco management policies. However, eight of these hospitals admitted the anti-smoking policy was not implemented. Some 23 per cent of hospitals sold tobacco products.
The report by the Irish Health Promoting Hospitals Network, a World Health Organisation-sponsored body, stated: "Even when a written policy exists it does not necessarily follow that staff are aware how to deal with issues and related enforcement."
Less than a quarter of hospitals employ a health promotion co-ordinator, while no-smoking facilitators are employed by just 50 per cent of hospitals. They see between four and 95 clients each month, and offer nicotine replacement therapy, counselling and outpatient support.
The study, carried out by Ms Kate Frazer, Dr Anna Clarke and Prof Leslie Daly, found the display of no-smoking signs by hospitals lacked uniformity. The authors recommended that anti-tobacco signage in health institutions be standardised.