Locals in Dundee are having their say on the effectiveness of a law banning smoking outside hospitals, two months after it came into effect.
Since September it has been an offence to smoke within 15 metres of all NHS hospital buildings in Scotland.
Anyone found smoking within 15 metres of a hospital building faces a fixed penalty notice of £50, or a £1,000 fine if taken to court.
But, two months on, how many fines have been issued at Ninewells?
And do locals think the law is discouraging people from smoking outside hospitals?
Ban ‘isn’t being enforced’
At Dundee’s Ninewells Hospital, many of the people we spoke to agreed with the ban, but views were split over enforcement and the accompanying penalties.
One non-smoker said: “I think the ban is a good thing. The dangers of smoking are very well known.
“A lot of the people around here are patients – do smokers not realise they could be further endangering them by smoking right outside the hospital?
“There are lots of smokers out here but the ban isn’t being enforced, as far as I can tell. So, it’s all very well bringing it in, but it has to be enforced.”
Jade, a 32-year-old smoker from Dundee, said the ban hadn’t really impacted her.
She said: “I think the ban is fair. There are kids and older people coming in and out of the hospital who don’t smoke and can’t really move about to get away from it.
“I think £50 is a fair amount, but I don’t think people will pay the fine if they’re given it.”
‘A £10 fine would be more fair’
Another smoker, Sami, 28, supported the smoking ban. He said: “You shouldn’t be allowed to smoke near here, you should have to go further away.
“But I do think there should be designated areas somewhere for people to go to smoke.
“I think the £50 fine is unfair, maybe £10 would be better.”
For 37-year-old ex-smoker Alan from Dundee, he agrees with the ban, but as a vaper, he’s pleased they aren’t included in it.
He said: “I think the ban is a good thing, but vaping isn’t as in your face. I’m a patient so coming out here for five minutes to vape helps me mentally.
“I think the £50 fine is fair. It’s a bit like if you’re caught littering.”
And for some smokers, the ban is actually having an impact on their smoking habits.
‘They’ve gone too far’
One told us: “Whether people smoke is up to the individual and we need a designated place to go.
“I had an operation in April so I’m here quite a lot. As a result of the ban, I’m smoking less. I used to smoke 20 a day and now I’m down to 10.
“I think the £50 fine is steep. Smokers can’t just switch it off overnight. I’ve not heard of anyone being fined yet.”
However, not everyone supported the smoking ban.
Yvonne Fyffe, 63, from Dundee disagreed with the ban and the fine.
She said: “I think it’s terrible, especially for patients. There are people here who have health conditions like cancer and are stressed or worried, who like to come out for their cigarette.
“I think it’s wrong. And the fine is a bit steep. A warning, maybe, but a fine is a bit much.
“I don’t know if people will pay it – I don’t know anyone who has been stopped for smoking here yet. I think they’ve gone a bit too far.”
How many fines have been issued since smoking ban became law?
When asked, Dundee City Council did not reveal how many fixed penalty notices have been issued at Ninewells so far.
A spokesperson said: “We are continuing to work closely with our colleagues in NHS Tayside on the implementation of this legislation.
“Enforcement and the issuing of fines is a last resort, and our current joint priority is encouraging behaviour change through engagement, education and encouragement.”
NHS Tayside say they are continuing to work with local authority environmental health colleagues.
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