Background: In mental health services where there are designated smoking rooms staff and clients are at risk of being exposed to secondhand smoke on a daily basis. One Auckland service recognising the significant health risks and basing criteria for change on these factors; worked towards a strategy and plan that would take the smoking outside

Strategy: This workshop outlines the complexities and the challenges for both staff and clients in developing a strategy to create a smokefree environment. The obstacles and barriers to change are examined and the factors that led to a positive outcome.

Conclusion: The outcomes of implementing the plan resulted in closing the designated smoking room. The benefits to District Health Board,Staff and Clients are outlined and discussed