THE Western Health and Social Care Trust today becomes the first smoke-free health trust in Northern Ireland.
Its new policy means that from now on, smoking will not be permitted anywhere on the trust's grounds or premises, including entrances, pavements and car parks.
No smoking will be allowed on site for patients, service users, staff, members of the public and contracted workers.
This is a step further than the previous policy as there will be no shelter where patients can smoke and staff will not be allowed to smoke in their cars on health trust property.
Similar initiatives have been introduced in hospitals and health-care facilities in Britain, the Republic, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Spain.
* The western trust can give free advice and support to quit smoking - call 0800 917 9388.