Media release from the Canterbury District Health Board

From Thursday 1 July 2010, Canterbury District Health Board's Specialist
Mental Health Services, including all inpatient and outpatient units, will
become completely smokefree.

This is being done to ensure these services are safe and healthy for
everyone, including staff, consumers and visitors. It also brings these services
in line with the CDHB's smokefree policy.

The CDHB is currently advising all mental health service users and
community providers in a variety of ways so they are aware of the policy and
to let them know what support is available to smokers, before the policy is
implemented.

SMHS General Manager Sandra Walker says, "While people will hopefully
want to remain smokefree at home, the main aim of this policy is to provide a
smokefree environment in Specialist Mental Health Services."

Traditionally, mental health staff and consumers have had higher rates of
smoking than in the overall population.

To help people to be smokefree when they are visiting or staying at Specialist
Mental Health Services, Nicotine Replacement Therapy (patches, lozenges,
gum and other medications) will be provided. This will be readily available to
all smokers when they are on site including patients and staff.

To help people stop smoking while using Specialist Mental Health Services,
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (patches, lozenges, gum and other
medications) will be provided. This will be freely available to all smokers when
they are on site including patients and staff.

From 1 July, no smoking will be allowed on the Hillmorton Hospital and The
Princess Margaret Hospital grounds by patients, visitors or staff. Visitors will
be asked to help patients remain smokefree by leaving cigarettes off site.

Dr David Stoner, Clinical Head of Canterbury's Alcohol and Drug Service
says, "While it will be difficult for some SMHS patients and staff not to smoke
on site, it's something that can no longer be ignored."

"You can't smoke in cafes, bars or restaurants now and it just doesn't fit in our
hospitals where we are encouraging people to do all they can to lead healthier
lives. It's important to remember that smoking related illness kills half of all
smokers," he says.

Case managers and clinicians will be working with each mental health service
user who smokes to develop a plan to help them feel comfortable about being
smokefree in hospital.

"Hillmorton provides specialist care for people with a variety of addictions and
is well-placed to help people who are going smokefree," David says.

Smokers wanting to quit should talk to their family doctor or nurse, or
telephone Quitline on 0800 778 778.

Further information about the SMHS smokefree policy will be available on the
CDHB website: www.cdhb.govt.nz