Smokers at Royal London Hospital told to stub it out

Pic: The Royal London Hospital. Credit: Robin Sones

Pic: The Royal London Hospital. Credit: Robin Sones

People smoking outside the Royal London Hospital will be asked to put out their cigarette by patrolling officers.

So-called smoke-free officers from Tower Hamlets council’s consumer and business regulations service will ask smokers to leave the hospitals estate if they want to continue smoking, or potentially face a fine.

The officers, who are working with Barts Health Trust to ensure the Royal London on Whitechapel Road stays smoke free, will also encourage visitors and employees at the hospital to quit smoking, according to a council spokesperson.

Councillor Amy Whitelock Gibbs, cabinet member for health and adult services, said: “It is great to see more organisations linking up with the council to create areas where smoking is not permitted.”

“We are undertaking this work with the Royal London Hospital to assist as many people as possible to quit smoking and ensure the environment around the hospital is as healthy as possible.”

Dr Somen Banerjee, director of public health at Tower Hamlets council, added: “Helping people to stop smoking and protecting people from the health harms of second hand smoke continues to be a local and national priority to improve public health.”

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