NHS Grampian is proposing a tobacco policy that would make grounds at hospitals and other facilities completely smoke-free in a year and a half.

There will be a routine offer of help to all smokers on NHS sites; no smoking in uniform or work clothes for staff; and encouragement to use alternative, safe sources of nicotine to prevent smoke related harm.

The health board says it plans to survey the opinions of patients and visitors with an anonymous on-line survey that will take five to 10 minutes to complete.

The aim is to have the policy in place by 2014 to meet the Government target of all NHS sites becoming smoke free by March 2015. NHS Grampian says it has had a long-standing commitment to making its premises free from tobacco smoke. The views of the public are being sought on potential barriers and possible solutions.

The survey can be found at www.surveymonkey.com/s/NB9KWXF.