SMOKING has been banned at the entire Royal Bolton Hospital site.

From yesterday, pa-tients, visitors and staff are being asked not to smoke in the hospital grounds.

However, the message had not reached everyone, with many people lighting up, claiming they were unaware of the ban.

Hospital chief executive David Fillingham said: “I am very pleased that we are taking things forward in this way, our aim is to be a health promoting hospital.

“Giving up smoking is probably the single biggest thing people can do to improve their health. This is all about encouraging people to do that.

“We are not a dictatorship, we are going to be respectfully and politely asking people not to smoke. We cannot enforce it, but we can ask.

“It will take a bit to time for the message to sink in and the culture to change but I think it will work. I would ask people to think about themselves and their health, but also their families and others.”

Health chiefs announced in February that the hospital would become a smoke-free site from July 1, in a bid to promote better health among Bolton’s residents.

The ban is not legally enforceable but patients, visitors and staff are being asked to respect it.

It was officially launched at 9am yesterday with Mr Fillingham and the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Norman Critchley, among the guests.

Cllr Critchley, who gave up smoking a pipe 10 years ago, said: “The ban is definitely a good idea and I support it.

“I feel so much better for giving up. I know it is difficult but people can do it. They have a responsibility to themselves, their families and others.”

A member of staff dressed as a cigarette and a large inflatable cigarette and balloons were used to highlight the start of the ban.

The smoking shelters have been removed from the site and banners and posters have gone up to let people know about the ban.

There is also information on the website and intranet and cards have been printed explaining the move.

Anyone found lighting up will be informed by staff that the site is smoke free and asked not to smoke and given one of the cards.

Members of staff caught smoking will be advised of the ban and given information about the help available to quit. Persistent offenders will face disciplinary action.

Staffside, a collaboration of members of the Unison and Unite unions at the hospital, is unhappy about the ban, claiming the hospital was taking away people’s choice. Staffside was available for comment.

cherry.thomas@ theboltonnews.co.uk