From 1 April, the staff and the public will be banned from smoking at all health service premises on the island, reports IOM Today.

The date for the ban coincides with the day that Manx Care will take over the running of the health service and health bosses say that the ban will be put in place to encourage people to quit smoking and create healthy and safe environments for everyone.
According to IOM Today, the first stage of the rollout will see smoking forbidden at all hospital sites across the Isle of Man. GP practices have also said they will be joining the movement and disallowing smoking on their grounds from 1 April.
“The vast majority of those who visit or work in our facilities will welcome the move to prevent smoking on our premises. There are obvious benefits both for individuals and the health service, and this gives us the opportunity to promote the message that it is never too late to give up. With less than two months to go until the policy is implemented, smokers have a clear incentive to make use of our stop smoking service,” said Health and Social Care Minister David Ashford.