I had an appointment at Mater Dei Hospital a few days ago and I couldn’t help notice what an inconvenience the new restriction on smoking in any outside area has become for smokers.

I must have been in the queue for at least three hours and a couple of people, who were clearly desperate for a cigarette and who were there before me, were trying to decide whether or not they should risk popping out for a quick smoke.

They clearly couldn’t help it any longer, so they decided to go out for a quick smoke. About five minutes after they walked out, they were called in. A nurse told me that this happens all the time.

Now had they been allowed to smoke anywhere outside, they would have probably been back in time as I have noticed what a walk there is to the smoking shelter from most parts of the hospital. Obviously they had to stand at the back of the queue and had to wait all over again.

Any smoker can understand how hard it is to spend three hours or more without a cigarette, particularly when you have been queuing for a while already. Everyone knows how frustrating that can be.

I don’t see why we cannot smoke outside. As long as ashtrays are provided, I don’t see the problem. Why should people be punished for smoking? We all know what a bad habit it is but, unfortunately, it is a highly addictive one and by not allowing people to smoke, even outside the canteen, they are not helping us quit.

People need moral support to quit something so addictive rather than be punished!