A HOSPITAL trust has taken the decision to ban people from smoking anywhere on its property.

From March 9 next year - national No Smoking Day - smoking will not be permitted either within Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Healthcare NHS Trust buildings or anywhere on its sites.

Smoking has already been phased out in several areas in and around trust premises.

Officials conducted a smoking survey earlier this year.

The results showed that the majority of staff, including smokers, felt that smoking in a healthcare environment was inappropriate.

The trust's board of directors have now decided to implement a complete ban starting in six months time.

Chief Executive Alison Guy said that the trust would be one of the forerunners in what is seen as the right and inevitable direction for hospitals around the country.

She said: "We're here not only to provide healthcare, but also to look at ways in which we can help prevent illness.

"With that in mind, it doesn't make sense that we allow, and therefore appear to condone, smoking, which causes heart, lung and respiratory diseases, speeds ageing and delays recovery.

"The Royal College of Physicians has said that nicotine is as addictive as cocaine and heroin, and it has been determined that a smoke-free workplace is one of the key factors in encouraging smokers to kick the habit."

Staff who want help in either stopping smoking themselves or in dealing with patients who may be heavy smokers will be advised by the trust's specialist smoking advisor.