Southampton's hospital trust is to ban smoking at all of its sites from January 1.

Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust is to go smoke-free as part of a nationwide drive.

Smoking will be banned in all hospital buildings owned by the trust and will apply to everyone.

William Roche, SUHT medical director, said: "We are committed as an organisation to improving the health and well-being of our patients and staff.

"By becoming smoke-free, we will be protecting people from breathing in harmful second-hand smoke and also helping smokers who want to give up."

The move will apply to all SUHT sites - Southampton General Hospital, the Royal South Hants Hospital, Princess Anne Hospital and Countess Mountbatten House.

However, the trust wants to gauge public views on whether or not all grounds should also be included in the smoking ban before making any decision.

With a total ban, smoking would not be allowed anywhere on SUHT sites but, if smoking is to be allowed in the grounds, designated areas will be set aside.

Patients, staff and any member of the public with an opinion about whether or not the ban should include entire sites, as well as buildings, are being asked to e-mail their views to smokefree @suht.swest.nhs.uk.