Children’s Voices Utilized in Hospital Anti-Smoking Initiative

A new initiative at four hospital locations will utilize recorded messages featuring children’s voices to encourage individuals smoking outdoors to extinguish their cigarettes. Buzzers have been set up at facilities managed by the Cardiff and Vale health board, prompting visitors and patients to activate them upon observing someone smoking. This action will trigger a recorded message addressing the smoker. Smoking within hospital premises is prohibited by law, with potential offenders facing a fixed penalty notice of £100. Notwithstanding this penalty, personnel at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, University Hospital Llandough, and associated facilities expressed ongoing concern. A spokesperson stated, “We hope these loudspeaker messages will make people think twice about lighting their cigarettes and seek free, professional support.” Rua and Ela, who were year six pupils at Creigiau Primary School in Cardiff at the time, recorded these messages. Activation occurs via a prominent red buzzer positioned just inside each of the four entrances, ensuring the individual smoking cannot identify the person pressing it. Subsequently, four bilingual messages encouraging cessation of smoking are delivered to those disregarding the regulations. The message conveyed by the children informs smokers that “cigarette smoke can be very harmful to babies and children as our lungs are still developing.” Catherine Perry, the health board’s Principal Public Health Practitioner, stated, “While smoking rates have come down across Wales in recent years, the health board continues to receive complaints about smoking on hospital grounds, putting the health of patients, colleagues and the public at risk.” She added, “When people smoke on hospital sites, patients are forced to breathe in toxic second-hand smoke – including some of our most vulnerable. “Sometimes patients have to walk through second-hand smoke to get in and out of the hospital which is deeply unpleasant.” The health board indicated that smokers have the option to be referred by their GP or practice nurse for support. Additionally, certain pharmacies within Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan provide “Help Me Quit” advice and related products, according to the health board.