SCOTLAND’S biggest health board has eased its ban on using e-cigarettes on hospital grounds in a bid to cut smoking rates.
Patients, visitors and staff at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) can now use the device as long as they don’t ‘vape’ near entrances or exits to hospitals or other health facilities. Vaping inside buildings is still prohibited.
Dr Emilia Crighton, director of public health, NHSGGC, said: ‘Tobacco is still the most common preventable cause of death in Scotland, with smoking to blame for around a quarter of all deaths. We’re now allowing e-cigarettes on our grounds to give our patients, staff and visitors more choice in how they quit smoking.’