SMOKERS CHAMPION CRITICISES BAN OUTSIDE GALWAY HOSPITALS

Date Published: 02-Dec-2011

A smokers campaigner has hit out at a plan by the HSE West to ban smoking outside UHG and Merlin Park hospitals.

Forest Eireann founder John Mallon has branded the move as "lacking empathy" for smokers.

The HSE West will ban smoking anywhere on the grounds of the two public hospitals from next Ash Wednesday February the 22nd.

One of the leading proponents of the ban, Consultant cardiologist Dr Jim Crowley hopes the ban will not be seen as an imposition by the HSE.

But Forest Eireann's John Mallon told told Galway Bay FM News the ban is a step too far for patients.