HEALTH staff are to be banned from smoking in Huddersfield.

From April, all premises owned or rented by Huddersfield Central Primary Care Trust such as health centres and offices will become smoke-free. The ban will cover entrance areas and car parks.

Patients will be allowed to smoke - but only in specially designated areas.

The policy, agreed by board members yesterday, will also see staff smoking rooms closed and workers banned from taking smoking breaks.

The move comes as part of a scheme to make healthcare staff role models for the NHS.

Dr Sohail Bhatti, the director of public health for Huddersfield Central and South PCTs, said: "We are committed to addressing the health risk associated with smoking and second-hand smoking among staff.

"The policy will enable staff to work in a smoke-free environment."

Patients will continue to be allowed to smoke in designated areas, but enclosures are to be improved to contain the smoke.

The same policy is expected to be adopted by the South Huddersfield PCT at a meeting this month.

Dr Bhatti said he hoped other health care premises, including GPs' practices, dentists and pharmacies, would follow suit.