News

New Mildura Base Hospital smoking bans start today

Mon, 13 Apr 2015 06:22:00

Clinicians at Mildura Base Hospital are hoping new Statewide smoking bans will support and encourage more people to quit or cut back their smoking.

Changes under the Tobacco Amendment Act 2014 take effect today and for hospitals and community centres the new measures include bans on smoking in the grounds and within four metres of an entrance.
People caught smoking in these off-limit areas risk on-the-spot fines of $147. The maximum penalty under the legislation is five penalty units – currently $738.
Mildura Base Hospital’s Alcohol and Drug Access Clinician Sarah Fisher hopes the new restrictions will encourage more people to think again about their smoking habits.
“Mildura has a relatively high smoking rate.  About 15.7 percent of the Victorian population are regular smokers – in Mildura the figure is 16.2 percent,” Ms Fisher said.
“We know that about one person a week in Mildura dies from smoking and that it causes more than 12 percent of avoidable deaths in our community,” she said.
“By making our grounds smoke free we are demonstrating to the community that we take the issue of smoking and health very seriously and are working towards creating a healthy environment for all patients, visitors and staff of Mildura Base Hospital.”
Ms Fisher said she hoped the bans would focus closer attention on preventing the exposure to passive smoking on the hospital community.
“Patients will be assisted during their admission to quit smoking and to access support to manage their nicotine dependence if they choose to do so,” Ms Fisher said.
“As a health service provider, our focus will be on stepping up our efforts to support patients to reduce or stop smoking during their stay and once they are out of hospital.”