Doctors have backed plans to introduce fines for smoking in hospital grounds, calling for any restrictions to also include vaping.

The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE) wants clear no-smoking boundaries to be introduced to protect patients, staff and visitors from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke.

Vaping should also be treated in the same way as tobacco throughout NHS premises, it says.

The RCPE has responded to a Scottish Government consultation, which suggests the introduction of formal zones covering a 15-metre perimeter around hospitals where it would be an offence to smoke.

Professor Derek Bell, president of the RCPE, said the college was in “strong support” of such a ban.

“Our aim is to work with the Scottish Government, health boards and services, local authorities and our colleagues in the Scottish Coalition on Tobacco to improve public health – and we think that no-smoking boundaries outside hospital buildings could help protect the most vulnerable patients.”

The consultation also suggests the use of vaping products should be allowed as an alternative to smoking on hospital grounds, although not within the formal no-smoking areas.

While some boards already permit vaping on hospital grounds, others do not.

Professor Bell said: “The college believes that e-cigarettes should be included in any legislation relating to a smoking ban outside hospital buildings and on hospital grounds.

“There is strong precedent for including e-cigarettes, as many organisations, including health boards, local authorities and chains of cafes and pubs have introduced their own policies banning vaping on their premises.

“The college welcomes the fact that the Scottish Government is consulting on this issue. We will continue to make the case for banning smoking on hospital grounds as this really could protect patients, staff and visitors from the harmful effects of tobacco smoke.”