Channel Islands: Guernsey to go smoke-free
With effect from 1st October 2016 smoking in all social, care and educational facilities will have a complete ban throughout Guernsey in the Channel Islands.
At present all government owned buildings in the state of Guernsey have designated smoking areas and shelters. However, with the new legislation these are to be removed in a campaign to promote a healthier life style to choice to both workers and visitors to these sites.
Patients visiting doctors or staying in hospitals are to be given support from the Quitline Stop Smoking Service. http://www.quitline-guernsey.com/
It is a known fact that smoking is bad for your health and can cause throat, mouth, lung, stomach and kidney cancer as well as having effects on your heart and circulation which can lead to a stroke. The negative effects from smoking extend to impaired taste and smell senses, unsightly staining to teeth and fingers and affect fertility. Children of parents who smoke tend to be more susceptible to breathing problems such as asthma. (http://www.bupa.co.uk/health-information/directory/e/effects-smoking)
Medical Officer of Health; Stephen Bridgman has made known that these changes are going to cause some disturbance to both patients, visitors and staff who work at these facilities which is the reasoning behind why the warning of the change has been issued a while before the date of change. However, he also stated that “It shows our commitment to the health and wellbeing of the people who visit and use our premises.”
Timeline of smoking legislations in Guernsey:
2006 – Guernsey became the first place in the British Isles to introduce a smoking ban for enclosed public spaces
2010 – Alderney bans smoking in public places
2011 – Smoking banned at Guernsey’s hospitals, except in existing smoking shelters
2011 – Prison visitors are banned from smoking inside the building
2012 – Graphic picture warnings have to be shown on tobacco products
2013 – Guernsey Prison goes smoke-free
2015 – Ban on tobacco vending machines and the display of tobacco for sale
2016 – Ban on smoking in health, social care and educational facilities
(http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-guernsey-36421089)
If you feel that you might be at risk of a serious illness that could be caused from the effects of smoking and want that peace of mind as well as a push towards a healthier life style then speak to BDHL about a medical insurance policy.
We have experience in starting up and maintaining Channel Islands clients’ based policies, as well as working with the leading insurance companies so as to meet Channel Islands requirements. For example incorporating GP fees with a direct settlement facility, transport to the UK if medically required, dental and optical benefits, out -patient, Physiotherapy and Osteopathy, all with both on and off the Island hospitalisation. These schemes have been specifically designed by the insurers in recognition of the independent status of The Channel Islands.
Tel:+(0)1892 891900 or email: enquiries@bdhl.co.uk
