Hywel Dda University Health Board is asking the public to tell them how they feel about staff and the public lighting up on their hospital sites.

The survey, which asks 12 questions and takes around five to 10 minutes to complete, will help inform the Health Board’s Smoke Free policy when it is reviewed in the coming months.

Teresa Owen, Director of Public Health for Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “We have asked our staff about how they think we can encourage smokers not to smoke on our hospital sites, and now we’re asking for the public’s opinion.

“We’re very proud that since July 2012 all University Health Board sites have been formally designated as smoke-free, in line with Welsh Government’s requirement for us to promote public health, but, while the majority of staff, patients and visitors to our sites respect this policy, some people continue to smoke on-site.

“Our smoke-free policy covers all premises and grounds and applies to all members of the public, patients (except for those residing in residential mental health units who are exempt under the Smoke Free Premises (etc.) Wales Regulations 2007), visitors, staff and contractors.

“Everyone has the right to breathe fresh air, especially when visiting a health care facility. We recently introduced audio systems at all four of our acute hospital sites, which enable onlookers to anonymously push a red button which triggers a PA message that reminds smokers that it is a smoke-free site and asks them to extinguish their cigarette. The feedback we had for this project was extremely positive, so now we want to know how the public think we can build on this work.

“Remember, if you want to quit smoking, there are services available to support you - you can do it!”

You can take part in the survey by visiting https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/dfcyh-sfpub, or if you would like a hard copy, contact Sonja Anderson, PA to the Director of Public Health, by email: [email protected] or by telephone: 01267 239711. The survey will close on September 23.

If you would like support to quit smoking, visit Hywel Dda University Health Board’s iQuit website: http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/862/page/77333 to find a service that suits you, or speak to your pharmacist for advice.