NICE targets friends and families

New guidelines to stop people smoking.

According to the Telegraph's interpretation of the guidelines, smokers are to be offered nicotine replacement gum and other inducements to quit smoking regardless of the reason for their being in hospital.

In other words, they could be in hospital for a non-smoking related illness or procedure and the guidelines would still be implemented.

For the record, here's my response to the Telegraph's request for a comment (although I don't think they ran the story in the end):

"The guidelines seem very heavy-handed. If enforced they will heap guilt on people at a time when they are already stressed or anxious."

"If a patient is being seen for a non smoking-related illness or procedure it's a gross invasion of their privacy to use every contact as an excuse to tackle them about their habit.

"What happens if a patient declines the offer of nicotine replacement therapy or refuses to be tested as prescribed? Will they be refused treatment?

"The NHS has a duty to treat everyone equally, regardless of their lifestyle, yet this smacks of discrimination."

The guidelines also call for a ban on smoking on hospital grounds, something I spoke about on BBC Radio London this morning.