From 31st March 2015 patients, visitors and staff will be asked to wait until they are off NHS grounds before lighting up.

The move to achieve smokefree grounds of every hospital, health centre and NHS building across the country is part of a national drive in creating a tobacco-free generation by 2034.

A national TV and radio campaign was launched yesterday (Monday) asking smokers for their help to make this vision a reality (video below).

NHS Fife director of public health, Dr Edward Coyle said, “The drive to make our NHS grounds smokefree is a vital step in helping us achieve a smokefree generation within the next 20 years.

“We recognise how much effort is required from smokers to refrain from smoking on NHS grounds at what can often be a particularly stressful time for them. “This campaign simply asks smokers to wait until they are off NHS grounds before lighting up.” The message of the month-long TV and radio campaign is simply – the time for smoking on NHS grounds has drawn to a close. Dr Coyle continued, “The NHS Scotland smokefree commitment extends to all our premises, hospitals, health centres and other community facilities, together with NHS offices and other non-patient buildings. “The NHS in Scotland has a duty of care to protect the health of, and promote health behaviours amongst, people who use or work in our services. This is why the time for smoking on hospital grounds has drawn to a close.” WATCH the NHS's smokfree advert below: