Smoking ban to be extended at Tauranga Hospital

Smoking will be stubbed out at Tauranga Hospital under a plan to encourage thousands of patients and staff to quit the deadly habit.

The ban covers the hospital's open-air grounds and existing smoke-free areas, such as buildings and health board vehicles.

Smokers will have to light up on the footpath.

It also includes the ambitious goal of trying to get an estimated 600 Bay of Plenty District Health Board staff to give up by offering them special workplace support, such as free one-to-one counselling.

The ban begins on May 31, World Smokefree Day, and covers all visitors and contractors.