The LA authority run home where ancient uncle lives has a smoking room with armchairs, a TV, coffee table and magazines. Certain areas of the grounds are designated as smoking areas. My understanding is that they are obliged to provide these facilities as the residents are in their own [care] home - it is where they live and not a nursing home or hospital.
I have spent a lot of time over the past few weeks visiting and waiting at Forth Valley Hospital and the Beatson in Glasgow - both totally non-smoking buildings, grounds and car parks with signs everywhere. The paving around the entrance and the patio beside the cafe is covered in cigarette ends, no ash trays or bins are provided and nobody sweeps up the area. Patients in their pyjamas huddle under the canopy at the door and obviously distressed relatives light up as soon as they come out - except one elderly man, with tears streaming down his face who reached for his cigarettes, only to have his wife say 'No smoking here, you'll have to wait until you are home'.
The blanket ban does not work. It annoys non-smokers and is cruel to smokers at a time of great stress. Surely a little compassion could prevail and a small covered and screened area could be set aside and bins provided instead of the current farce which benefits no one.
