July 11, 2019
Two vaping shops have opened in two NHS hospitals in West Midlands, offering staff, patients and visitors an alternative following a site-wide smoking ban.
Sandwell General Hospital in West Bromwich and Birmingham City Hospital, which are run by Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, have had Ecigwizard shops open up.
“We’re incredibly happy to announce the opening of our two shops at Sandwell and City Hospital, supporting the Trust’s smoke-free status. We are keen to offer vaping as an alternative to smoking, as a means to help people cut down or quit,” said Joe Lucas, head of retail for Ecigwizard.
Smoking is not allowed anywhere on the grounds of the organisation, including in cars parked on site.
“The Trust’s Board, and our clinical leaders, are united in the view that smoking kills. Given that simple truth, we can no longer support smoking on our sites, even in shelters or cars. Every alternative is available and we ask visitors and patients to work with us to enforce these changes,” said Dr David Carruthers, medical director of the Trust.
Smoking enforcement officers have been on site from 5 July and anyone ignoring the ban and lighting up will receive a £50 fine.
“No more passive smoking on our sites is a public health necessity,” Carruthers added.
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