Becoming a smoke free site

UHS is a smoke-free site. This means that smoking is not permitted anywhere at UHS and that those who do smoke will be supported to use alternatives such as nicotine replacement therapy whilst in our care.

As a recognised smoking cessation tool, vaping is permitted for short-term use where otherwise people would be smoking. Those who vape should do so at least five meters away from buildings, not in front of children and be considerate of other people around them. This position regarding vaping will be kept under review.

Supporting our patients

We have a package of support available to our patients who may be smokers and who need to be supported during their treatment with us to not smoke whilst in our care.

A patient and visitor guide has been produced and is available below:

Welcome to smoke-free UHS - patient information

Size: 769KBType: pdf

In-patient tobacco dependency team

The team was set up to provide free tobacco dependency treatment to all inpatients who smoke. This service is part of our commitment to support patients to not smoke whilst they are being treated at UHS.

The comprehensive treatment offered by the team provides the most appropriate alternatives to patients who are tobacco dependent. All patients who smoke should be referred to the tobacco dependency team on their admission.

Find out more about the UHS tobacco dependency team on this page.

Support services to help you quit

See Quit smoking - Better Health - NHS
Phone the free Smokefree National Helpline on 0300 123 1044, to speak to a specialist adviser. Lines are open Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm and Saturday and Sunday 11am to 4pm
Download the free NHS Quit smoking app Quit smoking - Better Health - NHS
Sign up for a Personal Quit Plan. Quitting smoking is easier with the right support – get your free plan now

Useful websites

Quit smoking this Stoptober - Better Health - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Stopping smoking (southampton.gov.uk)

Chief medical officer Paul Grundy, chief executive David French and UHS chair Jenni Douglas-Todd signing the NHS pledge for UHS to be smoke free.

Why we are a smoke-free site

In May 2023 the UHS Trust Board approved the plan to become smoke free - making a pledge to be tobacco smoke free by April 2024.

This followed a six-month consultation with our staff, patients, visitors and wider community to determine how we would go forward implementing a smoke free environment.

In welcoming the decision at the time, Paul Grundy, chief medical officer, said: “Reducing smoking amongst the most disadvantaged in our communities is the single most important means of reducing health inequalities

“The NHS is increasingly looking after people with long-term health conditions and we need to do more in creating an environment where people are supported to make healthier decisions.

“We must step up in helping prevent the sort of diseases that we all too often have to treat. Becoming a smoke-free site is a statement that reflects the sort of Trust we want to be, one that looks after our community, our people and our environment.”