SMOKERS have been given the message not to light up outside hospital entrances loud and clear.

As part of the hospital trust's ongoing smoke free policy and to mark national No Smoking Day, 'talking boxes' are being piloted at the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough and the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton.

The detectors, which look like a standard smoke alarm, are activated if someone lights up a cigarette and a loud message is then released with a polite request for it to be put out.

South Tees has been smoke free for almost two years, there is still a problem with smokers congregating outside entrances.

While the vast majority of people will extinguish their cigarettes if asked, there have been occasions when staff have been verbally abused by visitors and even patients.

The modules, which are transferable, have initially been put up at the women and children's entrance in James Cook and the main entrance at the Friarage.

Director of nursing Tricia Hart said: "We are the largest employer in the area and our prime concern is to help improve people's health and well-being.

"While we have signs outside entrances asking people not to smoke, some still do and we often receive complaints from members of the public about it.

"It isn't pleasant for people to walk past plumes of smoke just to get into hospital so we're asking that hardcore group who continue to disregard our policy just to show a bit more consideration for others.

"We've targeted the women and children's entrance at James Cook in the first instance as many of our new-born babies leave by that door.

"I've also spoken to parents whose children were having severe asthma attacks, yet still had to walk past smokers.

"Showing our support for the nationwide smoke free campaign and introducing this latest initiative is another way we can raise awareness and keep our own policy in the public eye."

Working closely with Time to Quit - Middlesbrough Primary Care Trust's stop smoking service - a number of other events have been organised for Wednesday including:

· Boro's mascot Roary the Lion visiting the children's wards to judge a poster competition for no smoking day
· Staff from the stop smoking service visiting the maternity unit to hand out no smoking bibs to our newest arrivals at James Cook (after the visit to the children's wards)
· Information/display stands in the atrium at James Cook and in the hub at the Friarage for staff, visitors and patients

Dave Allan, Middlesbrough FC's Communications Manager, said: "Middlesbrough Football Club was ahead of the game in making the Riverside Stadium a smoke-free zone long before a national ban.

"We are committed to promoting the benefits to individuals of giving up smoking."

Our picture shows Boro defender Emanuel Pogatetz putting across the No Smoking message.