Smoking banned at Belfast City Hospital and all hospitals across the province

SMOKING in the grounds of hospitals across Northern Ireland has been banned from today after a new law came info force.

The new legislation bans all smoking in the grounds of any Health and Social Care (HSC) site.

The now popular E-cigarettes are also outlawed..

Smoking is also not allowed in vehicles on the grounds.

The new rule coincides with No Smoking Day.

Today, the Western Trust is celebrating two years of no smoking on its sites including Altnagelvin Hospital.

Mary Black, of the Public Health Agency, said “it makes perfect sense” that hospitals would ban smoking.

“The aim of going smoke free is to provide a healthier environment for everyone who uses health and social care premises, whether they are giving care or receiving it.

“We hope that patients, visitors and staff will use smoke free as a catalyst to encourage their own quit attempt.”