Mater Dei Hospital will become completely smoke-free in three weeks’ time, forcing smokers to use three smoking booths set up in the extensive grounds.

This initiative, spearheaded by Health Minister Joe Cassar, will come into force through a legal notice making it illegal to smoke anywhere in the grounds – except for the designated booths. Even smoking in a car on hospital grounds will become illegal.

Dr Cassar announced the smoking ban yesterday to mark World Cancer Day.

“Smoking is one of the main causes of cancer which kills millions of people worldwide and this year we will be giving it extra focus,” he said.

In 2010, 26 per cent of male deaths and nine per cent of female deaths in Malta were caused by lung cancer – “a phenomenal” but extremely negative rate, Dr Cassar said.

People refused to kick the habit even though the government again increased the price of cigarettes, he added.

25%

The percentage of hospital employees who smoke

Passive smokers were also at great risk and the government wanted to convert the hospital into a smoke-free zone – just like other foreign hospitals.

Respiratory specialist Stephen Montfort, who chairs a health committee that oversaw the process, said passive smoking was affecting Maltese children who were suffering from allergies, including asthma.

A survey revealed that around 25 per cent of the 3,600 hospital employees were smokers, he said.

Out of the 55 per cent that replied to the survey, 10 per cent of smokers were doctors, 24 per cent were nurses and 31 per cent were hospital staff. These all said they smoked regularly while at Mater Dei Hospital, Prof. Montfort said.

Almost half, 43 per cent, said they found it difficult to stop but at least 75 per cent did not smoke when they felt unwell. Forty-six per cent said they wanted to kick the habit but only one-third had made an attempt to do so.

The initiative started four years ago with the setting up of a health committee which took on the transition process. To help patients and hospital staff kick the habit, cessation and psychotherapy classes are held regularly – even at hospital.