A further 18 primary care and health centres in Donegal will introduce a tobacco-free campus policy on Tuesday, 03 June. 
This follows the introduction of the tobacco-free policy at 18 primary care and health centres in Donegal on 02 December last, and means it will no longer be possible to smoke, including e-cigarettes, anywhere on these centres’ grounds; for example, entrances, doorways, walkways, car parks or cars.
The latest tranche of primary care and health centres to go tobacco-free are:
Cappry, Cloghan, Killygordon, Stranorlar, Newtowncunningham ,Raphoe
St Johnston, Castlefin, Buncrana, Fahan, Clonmany, Glengad, Moville
Churchill, Carrigart, Kilmacrennan, Milford, Tamney
Jim Doherty, Primary Care Development Officer, HSE Donegal said, “The tobacco free campus policy being introduced in these 18 health and primary care centres aims to create a healthier, smoke-free, clean environment for the clients, staff, visitors and contract workers.
“As healthcare providers in Donegal, we are committed to reducing the use of tobacco and its harmful health effects.
Fiona Boyle, Smoking Cessation Advisor, HSE Donegal said, “The tobacco free campus policy will lead to a better health outcome for patients by treating tobacco addiction as a care issue and we are actively promoting smoking cessation to support patients to quit.
“We are urging all doctors and allied healthcare workers to support the tobacco free campus policy initiative and join with us in sending a clear, strong and unambiguous message against tobacco.
“We introduced the Tobacco Free Campus policy in 18 primary care and health centres in Donegal last December and the success of this type of policy in these centres indicates that the majority of people support the policy.
“Introducing a tobacco free campus policy sends a clear message that these health settings are committed to protecting and promoting the health of their patients, staff and anyone who visits the centres.
The HSE Donegal Smoking Cessation Service hosts 13 free clinics throughout Donegal to help support people as they quit smoking.
The most successful way to quit smoking is by using a combination of tobacco dependence treatments .i.e. Champix or NRT patches etc, and also using behavioural support such as that offered by the HSE Donegal Smoking Cessation Service.
The current clinic locations are in Buncrana, Bundoran, Carndonagh, Carrigart, DonegalTown, Dungloe, Falcarragh, Killybegs, Letterkenny, Lifford and Stranorlar.
If anyone is interested in making an appointment with the service, they can call Fiona on 087 2514790 or Catherine on 087 6913777.
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