Smoking is known to be the principal avoidable cause of premature deaths in the UK. That is why the Government White Paper Choosing Health: Making healthier choices easier, promised new action to tackle tobacco and reduce the 106,000 deaths in the UK caused by smoking every year (87,000 in England). Over 9 million adults in England still smoke.
The Department's tobacco programme is split into six 'strands', which each contribute to the overall reduction in smoking. Since 1998 adult smoking rates in England have fallen from 28% to 22% in 2006. That is over 1.6 million fewer smokers. These are the lowest smoking rates in England on record. The introduction of the smokefree legislation in July 2007 has contributed significantly to this reduction. However, in poorer communities smoking rates are slow to reduce and given the health consequences of smoking this is a concern. Unfortunately along with the North East, the North West has the highest rates of smoking and this leads to higher rates of illness and death due to tobacco smoking.
The Government's six strands of tobacco control are to:
- supporting smokers to quit;
- reducing exposure to secondhand smoke;
- running effective communications and education campaigns;
- reducing tobacco advertising, marketing and promotion;
- effectively regulating tobacco products;
- reducing the availability and supply of tobacco products.
The Tobacco Control Alliance is Western Cheshire is being developed to take a lead on these issues in our local area, working with national and regional authorities and local organisations.
What is new in Tobacco Control?
The Government have asked the public and stakeholders what they think should happen next in tobacco control.
The consultation period comes to an end on the 8th of September 2008. This was promoted various ways. Postcards supporting the consultation were promoted at various public engagement events including Rivacre Valley Festival, 'Riskies in the Park', as well as in GP Surgeries and Pharmacies. In addition events were held at Chester Zoo and in The Forum in Chester across the August Bank Holiday Weekend. In total approximately 5000 postcards were completed by members of the public supporting initiatives to make smoking history for our children.
On the 3rd of September representatives from different partners across Western Cheshire met to discuss the issues within the consultation and provide a response on behalf of the Western Cheshire. The Alliance support the initiatives to
- Reduce health inequalities and to focus on tackling the smuggling of tobacco which undermines taxation policies and also through the proceeds can support other crime such as drugs and human trafficking.
- To do more to support children and young people through peer education and making tobacco products less accessible.
- To support and increase the publicity of the local stop smoking service and to encourage the promotion of positive messages about stopping smoking.
- To consider what help can be provided for people who cannot stop perhaps though developing other Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) products.
- The Alliance also felt that there needed to be much more emphasis on prevention, enabling people to make informed decisions not to start smoking in the first place.
Western Cheshire Stop Smoking Services
People who want to stop smoking are four times more successful when they get support from the local stop smoking service. Trained professionals are able to offer support to help the individual change their behaviour and provide access to medications such as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) that help reduce cravings.
Services are available across the patch in GP practices, pharmacies, the Countess of Chester Hospital, Cheshire and Wirral Partnership Trust as well as in other community venues.
If you need help or support to quit smoking you can contact the Western Cheshire Stop Smoking services and speak to a trained professional by:
Calling the helpline on: 0800 043 5134
Visit: www.quit4good.org
Email: quit@quit4good.org
Text: 'quit4good' to 60777
