Smokers on a break could soon need to take a hike well beyond the doors of Regina's hospitals.

On Wednesday night, members of the Regina Qu'Appelle Regional Health Authority unanimously passed a motion to ban smoking on its property.

The move follows a recent CBC News story that found patients, staff and visitors at Pasqua Hospital and Regina General Hospital lighting up outside on hospital property, often in designated non-smoking areas.

As a result of the health authority's decision, on April 1, 2009, a property-wide ban on smoking takes effect.

"We are committed to do everything we can to promote non-smoking, and look at the health not only our staff but people that come to visit people in the hospital and patients themselves," said Lloyd Boutilier, chair of the health authority.

There could be some exemptions added to the new rule, Boutilier said. Decisions will be made within the next year.

The region follows three others in the province which have implemented a smoking ban outside as well as inside their properties.

Now it's the provincial government's turn to pitch in, Canadian Cancer Society spokeswoman Donna Pasiechnik said.

"I would also challenge the province to step up with some cash for the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Authority and others to provide cessation support for patients and staff to provide support for enforcement of this important policy," she said.

The government should use more money collected from tobacco taxes to help people quit smoking, Pasiechnik said.