§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
Who provided the funding for the range of smoking chambers which the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, has decided to build; and why the hospital has not banned smoking in common with other hospitals in Northern Ireland. [HL2660]
§ Lord Williams of Mostyn:The Royal Hospitals Trust is funding the smoking rooms using capital resources allocated by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to health and social services trusts for use in accordance with local priorities.
Since 1994 health and social services bodies have been required to operate no-smoking policies. This recognises however that, where necessary, smoking rooms should be set aside for patients and staff who cannot stop smoking.