{"id":455,"date":"2019-08-29T06:00:32","date_gmt":"2019-08-29T06:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"\/?p=455"},"modified":"2024-01-22T19:59:36","modified_gmt":"2024-01-22T19:59:36","slug":"uk-hospitals-clear-the-air-by-allowing-on-site-vape-shops","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.electrictobacconist.co.uk\/blog\/uk-hospitals-clear-the-air-by-allowing-on-site-vape-shops","title":{"rendered":"UK Hospitals Clear the Air by Allowing On-Site Vape Shops"},"content":{"rendered":"

The NHS is hoping that a big switch from smoking to vaping will save lives, and budgets. <\/em>
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Vape shops have opened their doors at two hospitals in England, a first for the country \u2014 and possibly anywhere in the world \u2014 and a clear sign of vaping’s continual move towards the mainstream as a way to get off unhealthy cigarettes and save lives. 
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The development is another milestone in the extraordinary rise of the vaping industry in the UK, which didn’t exist until several years ago but now has around 3.2 million adults<\/strong><\/a> around the UK who regularly use an e-cigarette. Globally, the number is at least 35 million people and is forecast to shoot up to 55 million by 2021, according to the most recent figures<\/strong><\/a>. That pales in comparison to the 1.1 billion people<\/strong><\/a> across the planet who still smoke cigarettes \u2014 around half of whom will die from their habit. 
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Where Are the Hospital Vape Shops?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n

The hospitals that have allowed vape shops to do business on their premises are Sandwell General Hospital in West Bromwich and Birmingham City Hospital, and both are run by the NHS. Neither medical institution wants anyone smoking anywhere near them \u2014 not even in parking areas or anywhere else nearby \u2014 and have been looking at ways to prevent people from lighting up when they’re on-site. 
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Both hospitals, which are run by Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, brought in a full-site ban on smoking in July, installing security cameras to monitor the hospitals’ grounds and catch anyone smoking. They\u2019ve also instructed<\/strong><\/a> “smoking enforcement officers” and security staff “to challenge people smoking on-site”. Any visitors with a lit cigarette, including in their vehicles, now faces the prospect of a \u00a350 fine. They may be offered nicotine replacement therapies instead. 
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Several weeks later, in early August, the trust announced that the new policy had been a resounding success, resulting in a healthier environment and atmosphere for everyone. 
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We\u2019re just over one month in to our smoking ban and it feels great to breathe in fresh air rather than the poison of secondhand smoke. By working together we\u2019ve made our sites more pleasant and healthier to visit. #SWBHstory<\/a> https:\/\/t.co\/P51FSeifeo<\/a><\/p>\u2014 SWBH NHS Trust (@SWBHnhs) August 8, 2019<\/a><\/blockquote>\r\n