Keeping hospital grounds smoke free

Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) has teamed up with members of the community as part of a new campaign aiming to help keep the air around local hospitals and surrounding grounds smoke and vape-free.

CCLHD is trialling public address announcements at Gosford Hospital and Wyong Hospital to inform patients, staff and visitors that hospitals are smoke and vape-free, help reduce exposure and direct people to support options such as nicotine replacement therapy and Quitline.

The audio messages feature the voices of staff, volunteers, children and older adults, with early results indicating smoking and vaping has reduced at trial sites.

CCLHD Health Promotion Officer Leanne Andrew said the trial drew inspiration from successful strategies implemented in hospitals in England and Victoria, while also incorporating messages developed with local communities, people who smoked or vaped and those who had quit.

“We recognise that nicotine is highly addictive,” she said.

“These messages aim to both safeguard individuals from exposure to harmful chemicals and assist those who smoke or vape to manage their cravings and to provide support when they are ready to quit.”

“It’s great that we’ve been able to partner with community members to produce these messages, and we’re encouraged by early results from the trial.”

Local primary school student Harry, aged 8, recorded one of the new messages and said he hoped that listening to the message would help younger patients.

“I hope the messages will mean that people can stop smoking and vaping and kids coming into hospital don’t have to walk through smoke,” Harry said.

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death and the second highest contributor to the burden of disease in Australia (AIHW, 2024). 

Under the NSW Smoke-free Health Care Policy all NSW Health grounds and facilities are smoke and vape-free.  

Under the Smoke-free Environment Act 2000, smoking and vaping are banned in all enclosed public places and some outdoor public places.

For more information search Smoke free laws at https://www.health.nsw.gov.au

For confidential advice and tailored support around smoking and vaping, contact Quitline on 13 78 48.

Patients staying in hospital and experiencing nicotine cravings are advised to chat with their medical team who can offer support to make their stay more comfortable.