New Zealand: High Court to Hear Hospital Smoking Challenge

Source from:  TV3 (nz)  05/20/2013

The Auckland High Court will this morning begin hearing a case challenging the Waitemata District Health Board's ban on smoking in its acute mental health units.

Two patients and one nurse have brought the challenge.

The Waitemata DHB ban applies to three intensive care units in its hospitals.

Lawyer Richard Francois says forcing patients to give up smoking temporarily does not curb the habit in the long term.

The judicial hearing has been set down for two days. Enditem