HEALTH experts today stepped into the row over the controversial Glasgow-wide hospital smoking ban.

Eight leading medics have come together to launch a strong defence of the new policy, which comes into force today.

They penned a letter to the Evening Times applauding the new rule, which bans smoking in the grounds of every city hospital and health centre.

Their intervention follows our recent article in which staff and patients at the Western Infirmary criticised the ban.

Hundreds of our readers also voted overwhelmingly against the hospital smoking ban - 922 compared with 218 who supported it - in an on-line poll last week.

Among those behind the letter are director of public health Dr Linda de Caestecker, medical director Dr Brian Cowan and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde chairman Professor Sir John Arbuthnott.

Consultant medical oncologist Dr David Dunlop, principal health promotion officer for tobacco Agnes McGowan and Professor Alan Rodger, medical director of the West of Scotland Cancer Centre, also signed it.

Their letter says: "We are unashamedly behind anything that will cut down opportunities for smoking and encourage smokers to quit.

"We'll do everything in our power to help them live healthier lives and reduce the risk to others.

"When patients arrive at our hospitals they should not expect to be met with groups of staff smoking on the grounds.

"Crowds of visitors gathering around the entrances to hospitals have for years created an unhealthy welcome - the overwhelming views of those who contributed to the consultation supported our strongly-held belief this is not acceptable any more.

"Some people argued that NHS money should be spent to create smoking shelters on the grounds of hospitals - away from front doors.

"Our board, very understandably, refused to spend NHS cash on measures that would encourage people to continue smoking when we continue to commit major financial resources to smoking cessation activities."

From today, patients, staff and visitors will have to walk outside the hospital gates to have a cigarette.

Staff who often have to work 12-hour shifts have been told they could be disciplined if caught smoking in uniform - even off the premises.

All patients and staff are to be offered support and nicotine replacement programmes to help those who want to give up smoking.

It will be up to estate's staff to police the new ban as part of their security role.