HEALTH bosses in the Borders have introduced a blanket ban on smoking around Borders General Hospital.

And this week’s new restrictions will include controversial e-cigarettes.

The ban covers all of the hospital’s grounds and car parks.

The ruling came into force on Monday and brings the BGH into line with nationwide Government plans to make every hospital in Scotland smoke free by next year.

Dr Eric Baijal, NHS Borders and Scottish Borders Council joint director of public health believes the move is overdue. He told us: “Most of NHS Borders’ grounds have been smoke free for some time now, but the Borders General Hospital has been the most challenging as it is our only acute hospital.

“We know that smoking is extremely harmful to health and causes in excess of 13,000 deaths per year in Scotland.

“The toll of smoking on our nation’s health cannot be underestimated.” Smokers are not allowed to smoke within any of NHS Borders premises or external areas, including all the car parks on the BGH site.

The ban applies to in-patients, day patients and visitors - and includes the e-cigarettes or vaporisers.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy, which helps reduce cravings, will be made available for smoking patients who do not want to kick the habit.

Dr Baijal added: “Creating smoke free hospital grounds sends out a powerful message that every visit to our health service is an opportunity to promote and improve people’s health and that is why we believe staff, patients and visitors will support and respect this decision and refrain from smoking until they are off the hospital site.” Anyone who wants to stop smoking can access advice and support from Quit4Good advisors, who are based within the BGH, provide access to Nicotine Replacement Therapy and give information on the local services that are available to patients after they have been discharged from hospital.

NHS Borders Quit4Good Service can be contacted on 01835 825971.