Aussie model convinces care operator to create smoke-free retirement village

The owner of a new retirement village hopes to adopt a complete smoking ban across his site, after being persuaded of the benefits of such action in Australia.

The boss of Castle Retirement Living, Robin Hughes hopes to ban smoking at all communal on-site facilities and individual apartments bought by residents in the retirement village Castle View Windsor, when it opens in Autumn 2018.

Such a ban could make older people who are keen to buy an apartment, having to choose between having a cigarette or a room at Castle View.

Mr Hughes is in currently in talks with those who have reserved apartments off plan about a smoking ban at the site, which offers 58 apartments for people aged over 55 and communal facilities including a rooftop lounge, coffee shop, restaurant. An extra 72-bed care home, run by Care UK, is also being built adjacent to the Castle View apartments.

Robin Hughes, managing director of Castle Retirement Living said: “I think it’s time that the impact of second-hand smoke in a community environment like Castle View Windsor is really considered with some fresh thinking.

"As most residents will have generous balconies to their apartments, along with universal access to roof terraces, we do not really want these areas to be used by any smokers or guests, potentially impacting on the general amenity of the village with passive smoke.”

Mr Hughes is eager to introduce to the UK, a retirement village smoke-free policy, after being encouraged by Australia’s approach.

Smoking bans have been tested out at retirement developments in Australia. Queensland legislation has banned smoking in all residential care facilities, except in a designated outdoor smoking area. The Tobacco and Other Smoking Products (Smoke-free places) Amendment Act 2016 took effect from 1 September 2016.

With views of Windsor Castle, the village’s apartment prices start from £330,000 to £650,000 and to date, half of the first phase of apartments have been reserved off plan with residents confirming they are non-smokers.

Mr Hughes said: “It is only right we shape the day-to-day management of our new development in consultation with our residents, by exploring their views further, along with the legal position.” He said the company “intends to have a clear legal position as to whether a ‘no smoking’ restriction is legal and enforceable” before its second phase of apartments is released in June.

The care boss said banning smoking in communal areas and individual apartments bought by residents at the £35 million pound development, is new territory for the retirement village sector.

Promoting health, reducing potential fire risk and reducing the need to redecorate and refresh smoke-infused accommodation regularly, were factors in the operator’s decision to consider a no smoking policy.

Mr Hughes added: “We are committed to promoting both wellbeing and safety at Castle View Windsor in a multitude of ways and, where necessary, we will look at the legal process to try to deliver it – even if we are the first company to try this approach.”