You have just started work as a Protective Service Officer at the Bracken Ridge Hospital (the BRH). The BRH is part of the North Brisbane Hospital and Health Service (the NBHHS) and is established under the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011 (Qld). Due to BRH being part of the Queensland Public Health System, employees of the BRH are subject to the Code of Conduct for the Queensland Public Service.

As a Protective Services Officer at BRH, you are appointed an authorized person and security officer under Sections 164-165 of the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011 (Qld). Part of your responsibilities is to ensure the safety and security of people on health service land and to enforce a range of laws including but not limited laws in relation to smoking.

On this day, you are patrolling the grounds of the BRH with fellow Protective Services Officer Michael Farias and Senior Protective Service Officer Marcus Deiley enforcing laws in relation to smoking. In particular, you and your fellow protective Services Officers are enforcing the requirements pursuant to the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act 1998 (Qld).

Question:

Later in your shift you observe an elderly female who is smoking a personal vaporizer outside the Emergency Department. She is sobbing uncontrollably and is being comforted by two nurses. When you move closer one of the nurses approaches you and informs you that the elderly female has just lost her husband who has passed away in the Emergency Department. Pursuant to the NBHHS Smoking Policy, you have the discretion to issue a Warning Notice to people who are found smoking on or near the BRH grounds if you think that it is appropriate to do so or to do nothing. Given the circumstances of this situation, what would be the responsible, kind and professional thing to do? In your response ensure you make reference to the relevant section/s of NBHHS policy and the Tobacco and Other Smoking Products Act 1998 (Qld)?