NEWS that Worcestershire hospitals could introduce a blanket ban on smoking including in their grounds has provoked a lively and heated debate.

Readers have been logging on to the Worcester News website (www.worcesternews. co.uk) to have their say about plans to get rid of designated smoking shelters and completely ban lighting up at hospital sites. While some welcomed the move, which could be introduced by July 5 next year, others called it a violation of human rights.

Private sector worker, Kidderminster, said: "If the hospital were to introduce this ban, they would have to consider the needs of the genuinely addicted. This could be in violation of their human rights - and definitely needs to be thought through in order to prevent a flood of claims.

"Perhaps some nicotine replacement could be given? All this aside, I am completely in favour of the ban, I find it disgusting to have to walk through the smoke to get into the hospital, resorting to holding my breath in some instances."

Chris, UK, said: "How dare the NHS claim this to be their land! The DoH, through the Smoking Bill have shown that there is no such thing as private property when it comes to public places.

"The healthists' should know there is much more to good overall health than physical well-being."

A retired nurse, Worcestershire, said: "Tobacco dealers have added so many other addictive substances over the years making smoking so much more addictive than it was years ago. Offering a patch and get on with it' is no help to a smoker suddenly hospitalised."

Amy McGregor, welcoming the ban, said: "I'm jolly glad that smoking won't be allowed near the Royal. It is good news for those poor people with asthma, who might want to visit a friend or relative in hospital. Why should they walk through an entrance full of smoke and ash. That's not going to make them, or the poor patients, any better, is it?

Carol Farrell, Worcestershire, agreed but said: "There must be some exceptions to the rule. Patients, when they are ill, cannot cope with tobacco withdrawal as well. Use common sense. If it is okay for prisoners in jails to smoke, then the same rule must be allowed for all."