University Hospital Southampton hosts Bin the Butt event

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UHS) has strengthened its commitment to creating healthier, smoke-free environments by hosting a Bin the Butt litter pick across its hospital sites. 

Over the course of the event volunteers collected thousands of cigarette butts from entrances and car parks across Southampton General Hospital and Princess Anne Hospital. The clean-up highlights the Trust’s ongoing efforts to address both the environmental and health impacts of smoking, while reinforcing its smoke-free policy. 

There was also the opportunity for patients, visitors and staff to speak with tobacco advisors and find out more about smoking cessation resources available to them at a stall outside the main entrance. 

Bin the Butt was made possible thanks to support from Southampton Hospitals Charity. Hampshire County Council, Southampton City Council, Smokefree Hampshire, Solutions4Health, Wessex Cancer Support, and the University of Southampton. 

Jóhan Djurholm, smokefree site lead at UHS, said: “Bin the Butt aims to send a clear and visible message to our community that our hospital sites should be clean, healthy and smoke-free. 

“The event was a huge success, with staff, students and community partners helping clean our site. We must have collected several thousand butts in the space of just a couple of hours. 

“Importantly, we were able to have meaningful conversations with members of the public about the issue of smoking on site and what we as a trust should do differently to best support anyone with tobacco addiction.” 

UHS became a smoke-free site in April 2024 and patients who smoke are supported to use alternatives such as nicotine replacement therapy. 

The tobacco dependency team offer free treatment to all inpatients who smoke to help them quit, providing the most appropriate alternatives to patients who are tobacco dependent, including timely access to nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and specialist, tailored support. The team also supports some patients after discharge, allowing valuable intervention to continue at home. 

Nicola Taylor, tobacco dependency clinical lead at UHS, said: “When patients are admitted to UHS, giving up smoking may not be their immediate priority. However, we know there are significant benefits of stopping smoking.  

“Offering patients the opportunity to discuss their addiction and smoking habits and advising them on the support available can be particularly helpful at this vital time. We want patients to understand that quitting smoking is their choice. 

“Since the team was established two years ago we have spoken to more than 4,000 patients, many have successfully quit smoking and are now smoke-free. This not only improves health outcomes but also benefits the hospital, as smoke-free patients are less likely to be re-admitted, helping to reduce bed pressures and save hospital resources.” 

Smoking is a leading cause of health inequalities and ill health. There are around 500,000 hospital admissions in the UK each year that are linked to smoking – with people who smoke 36 per cent more likely to be admitted than those who don’t.