Officials say they have a duty to protect staff

Ashfield and Mansfield Primary Care Trust is introducing a zero tolerance policy towards smoking in the New Year.

Under the new rules, patients who will not stop smoking will have to go to an another venue for treatment.

Officials said they had a duty to protect staff from passive smoke and most patients supported the move.

The primary care trust (PCT) has already banned patients and staff lighting up in all of its buildings and grounds, including community health centres.

As far as I'm concerned, even if I did smoke, I wouldn't when the nurse comes as it's not fair on them May Willard, patient

Signs are already in place warning smokers their time is up at the end of the month.

They also plan to ban healthworkers from smoking in their cars if they use the vehicle in the course of their work.

Barbara Brady, the PCT's senior public health manager, said: "If a patient or a family member is smoking during a home visit, NHS staff may be subjected to environmental tobacco smoke through passive smoking or secondhand smoking.

"Tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals in the form of particles and gases and some of the immediate effects of passive smoking include eye irritation, headache, cough, sore throat, dizziness and nausea."

Pensioner May Willard, 77, of Bellamy Road, Mansfield, has regular visits from a district nurse following heart surgery at Nottingham City Hospital several months ago.

She said: "I don't smoke, and to be honest I don't think many of the older patients who have home visits do any more.

"As far as I'm concerned, even if I did smoke, I wouldn't when the nurse comes as it's not fair on them when they are coming round to help you. I support the ban."