Smoking in hospital — a survey of staff attitudes at Westminster Hospital

Abstract

A SURVEY of staff attitudes to smoking and facilities for smokers and non-smokers at Westminster Hospi tal and associated buildings revealed widespread support for firmer measures to limit and control smoking on health service premises. The survey was eventually undertaken with the agreement of staff side union representatives who had initially resisted the health authority's wish to implement a policy on smoking. In the event, the results provided support to the TUC's 1981 Resolution calling for increased smok ing restrictions in workplaces as part of an overall policy to reduce smoking prevalence among working people, which has been followed up in local initiat ives by unions throughout the country.