Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust is smoke free

This means that staff, patients, service users, volunteers, carers, and visitors are not able to smoke or vape anywhere on Trust premises, in Trust owned vehicles, and at any time on Trust sites.

Becoming smoke free helps improve the health of our patients and service users and protects everyone who may be exposed to second hand smoke while in our care, or at work.

Why become smoke free?

  • Our Nicotine Management Policy is in line with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines (NICE 2013) for smoking cessation in mental health and acute settings
  • The Trust has a duty of care to promote health and wellbeing and protect people who use our services. This duty includes supporting smokers to stop smoking or stop temporarily when using our services
  • Smoking is one of the major causes of poor physical health and premature death. Enabling our patients or service users to smoke contributes to this.

Download our Breathe easy we’re smoke free leaflet to learn more

Find further information on national stop smoking services on the NHS website or call 0300 123 1044.

When a patient or service user who smokes is admitted to a ward, Mersey Care will:

  • Assess them for tobacco dependency and offer a carbon monoxide test
  • Discuss alternatives to cigarettes
  • Offer a choice of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and advice on what Trust-approved vapes you can buy
  • Offer support, intervention, and education
  • Permit rechargeable closed pod vapes in single occupancy bedrooms and outdoor spaces.

Please note, cigarettes, lighters, matches and disposable vapes* are not permitted anywhere on Trust premises.

See also: Patient and service user information leaflet

The sale and supply of single use disposable vapes is illegal from 1 June 2025 in England, Scotland and Wales. This is part of Government efforts to reduce environmental damage and protect children and young people.

The Trust continues to work hard and make sure all its premises and grounds are smoke free environments. We also recognise that for some, nicotine addiction is extremely difficult to overcome, and managing their nicotine in a safer way should continue to be promoted.

Therefore, from 1 June, only rechargeable closed pod vapes can be used by patients and service users in single occupancy bedrooms and outdoor spaces only.

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