And campaigners have welcomed the new legislation, which creates smoke free perimeters.
It came into force today through The Prohibition of Smoking Outside Hospital Buildings (Scotland) Regulations 2022, which have been introduced to protect non-smokers from the harm of second-hand tobacco smoke, particularly within NHS healthcare settings, and to ensure the NHS in Scotland is an exemplar in the promotion of good public health.
The move has been welcomed by health charity ASH Scotland and chief executive Sheila Duffy said: “Extending current legislation to include outdoor areas in Dumfries and Galloway will have the positive impact of protecting people from the harmful effects of breathing in toxic tobacco smoke through vents, windows or doorways while they are being treated and recovering in hospital.
“We urge people who smoke or vape to be considerate in remaining outside the 15-metre perimeter, ensuring hospital patients do not face unnecessary additional risks to their health caused by inhaling harmful substances. This is particularly important as Scotland challenges the normalisation of using tobacco and related products, on our journey towards becoming tobacco-free.”
