"Smoking on hospital grounds"

In various areas as you walk towards the entrance of the hospital, by the bins, seating areas are numerous signs informing people that you are forbidden from smoking on the premises. It’s very clear and I applaud the signage.

Then why is it that every time I visit I immediately see people doing that very thing, inc staff!? It seems there is absolutely no adherence to the policy and no one appears to be enforcing it. I saw a man walking towards the entrance with his pregnant partner, having to wave smoke away from her as someone blew smoke in front of them!!! 

I took my partner outside, seating area away from the entrance, for some fresh air, only to have 2 smokers in close proximity, another vaping. Then a member of staff sat and lit up!  Oddly, I got the impression they felt we were putting them out by sitting there! There was zero recognition that what they were doing was wrong, no embarrassment at all, which means the signage means nothing.

Additionally, the pathway and entrance is awash with cigarette butts. I feel it’s a disgusting, disgraceful way to enter a health facility.

In my view, either enforce no smoking, or don’t bother, or make smokers use a certain area, well away from the main entrance. When I arrive and leave, it feels like a free for all for smokers who don't seem to care and know there is nothing being done. So why bother with all the signs?