Smokers could now face a hefty fine for lighting up a cigarette outside hospital doors across Scotland under a new ban.
From Monday, September 5, anyone found lighting up within 15 metres of a hospital building could face a fixed penalty notice of £50 or a fine of up to £1,000 if the case goes to court.
The new law will help reduce the risks of second-hand smoke from impacting both patients and healthcare staff.
A voluntary smoke-free hospital grounds policy was introduced in 2015, with the new ban now applying to all NHS hospital settings used for the treatment and care of patients. Smoking will also not be allowed beneath overhanging structures.
The Scottish Government aims to be tobacco free by 2034 and offers free resources to help people who want to quit.
Public Health Minister Maree Todd said: "Everyone knows that smoking is bad for our health and hospital patients in particular should be protected from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.
"This new law is the latest step in our bold plan to make Scotland tobacco-free by 2034 – building on our dedicated stop-smoking services and early intervention measures to stop youngsters picking up the habit altogether.
"Anyone looking to quit can contact the NHS QuitYourWay Helpline or speak to their local pharmacy to discuss the range of help available."
ASH Scotland Chief Executive Sheila Duffy said: "Extending current legislation to include outdoor areas 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 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 smoking on our journey towards becoming tobacco-free."
Smoking has been linked to several types of cancer and it has been found that those exposed to secondhand smoke face the same dangers as smokers themselves.
It comes after a new study found that thirdhand smoke - which is when tobacco chemicals linger indoors - can lead to a higher risk of cancer for those affected.
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