Our Trust becomes entirely smoke-free from Monday (8 May).
Tobacco has long been identified as the main cause of premature death and preventable ill-health in the UK - and it is more than 15 years since smoking was banned in all enclosed public spaces.
In Norfolk, the district with the highest prevalence of adult smokers is Great Yarmouth, where 23% smoke - the England average is 14%.
At the James Paget, smoking has only been permitted on-site in the outdoor smoking shelters situated at the front and back of the hospital, near the car parks.
But from Monday, there is no smoking anywhere on the site or grounds of the hospital and other Trust locations such as the Newberry Clinic in Gorleston and Carlton Court in Lowestoft.
The smoke-free site includes the car parks, meaning that smoking is not permitted in the cars when parked on Trust premises.
Vaping and the use of e-cigarettes, both of which are seen by the NHS as a means of helping people quit smoking tobacco, will be permitted but only within the existing shelters outside the front and back of the hospital.
Trust Chief Executive Jo Segasby said: “Smoking tobacco continues to damage people’s health while putting huge pressure on the NHS.
“As a leading healthcare provider in the area, it is our responsibility to do all we can to deter people from smoking - and that includes making our site entirely smoke-free. This is line with the NHS’ Smokefree Pledge and the government target to make England smoke-free by 2030.
“However we recognise that quitting tobacco can be really tough for some smokers - and that is why we will continue to sign-post both our patients and staff, who need support to local organisations who can help them quit.”
For more information on stopping smoking, please click on the following links: