Government proposals to extend next year's smoking ban to mental healthcare settings are likely to face stiff opposition from NHS staff.

A survey in the UK has asked 2574 NHS clinicians about their attitudes to health care settings as smoke-free environments. The results showed clear differences between general healthcare staff in comparison to staff in mental health settings.

While only 1 in 10 general healthcare staff disagreed with a smoking ban in their wards or clinics, as many as 1 in 3 psychiatric staff were against such a ban in their setting.

In consultation on the recent Health Act (2006), the government has proposed that only those premises that provide long-term accommodation will be exempt from the smoke free legislation.

Many staff worry that introducing a smoking ban in mental health units is unfair and will cause confrontation between patients and staff.

Previous research, however, has consistently shown that this is not the case and that no-smoking policies in mental health settings rarely result in significant disruption.

About the ST GEORGE'S HOSPITAL MEDICAL SCHOOL

St George's, University of London is the only independently governed medical school in England and provides training to a wide range of healthcare students on one site. As well as providing courses in medicine and biomedical sciences, the Medical School also offers courses in midwifery, nursing, physiotherapy, radiography and social work in conjunction with Kingston University. The school is extremely active in research and has a high reputation in areas such as infection as well as diseases of the heart and circulation. Other areas of expertise include stroke rehabilitation, air pollution and addictions.

ST GEORGE'S HOSPITAL MEDICAL SCHOOL

Cranmer Terrace
London SW17 ORE
sghms.ac/