Since we have many Brits here, I thought this was appropriate. Imagine if this happened in the US. Brits forced to improve health Hertfordshire NHS breath tests for smokers before surgery - BBC News Patients in Hertfordshire must stop smoking at least eight weeks before surgery or it may be delayed. Obese patients have also been told they must lose weight in order to have non-urgent surgery. Patients with a body mass index (BMI) of over 40 must lose 15% of their weight and those with a BMI of over 30 must lose 10%, or reduce it to under a 40 BMI or a 30 BMI - whichever is the greater amount. The lifestyle changes to reduce weight must take place over nine months. Patients asked to give up smoking will be tested to show the carbon monoxide levels in their blood.
