Life expectancy in Merseyside is lower than anywhere else in England because of smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke.  

Every year around 3,500 people in Greater Merseyside die from smoking related causes.  All these deaths are preventable.

Heart of Mersey (HoM) is tackling smoking from several angles. Our Smoke Free Programme is taking forward several tobacco control initiatives as well as supporting existing good practice across Merseyside.

The Smoke Free Programme was launched in October 2004 and was followed almost immediately by the joining of forces by leaders and senior representatives from the region's Local Authorities and NHS to lobby government for smokefree workplaces.

This 'Greater Merseyside Smoke Free Coalition' - representing Greater Merseyside's six local councils, all 10 primary care trusts and three NHS hospital trusts - reflects the strength of feeling for the need to protect people from secondhand smoke.  Their petition was also used to support the Liverpool Private Members Bill. This aimed to ban smoking in restaurants, pubs, shops, offices and other enclosed workplaces.

In 2005 a survey of nearly 1,000 Liverpool residents found more than 70% in favour of legislation for smoke free workplaces.  Nearly half of these were smokers.

Fact: 86% of Merseyside residents would prefer public places to be smokefree

Fact: 31% of Greater Merseyside residents over the age of 16 smoke

Fact: Secondhand smoke can increase the risk of contracting lung cancer or heart disease by a quarter

Fact: Being in a room with a smoker exposes you to more than 4,000 chemicals including 60 known cancer-causing substances. www.4000reasons.org.uk

The Greater Merseyside Smoke Free Programme: Core Principles and Position Statement

1. Smokefree definition

This HoM Programme is called the 'Greater Merseyside Smoke Free Programme'. Definitions relating to the Smoke Free Programme:

• A 'Smokefree' or 'Tobacco free' environment - means that smoking is not allowed.
•  'Secondhand smoke', 'Secondhand Tobacco smoke' or 'Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) - is the smoke given off from a burning cigarette and that exhaled by smokers.
• Breathing in secondhand smoke is sometimes called 'passive smoking' or 'involuntary smoking'.

The Smoke Free Programme will use the terms 'smokefree' and secondhand smoke'

2. Secondhand smoke is a significant risk to health

Smoking is the biggest preventable cause of death and alongside diet is the key contributing factor to coronary heart disease (CHD). However there also exists a strong evidence base for the impact of secondhand smoke on health, including a 25% increased risk of CHD.

3. Smokefree as a priority for Tobacco Control

The focus of the Smoke Free Programme will be on working towards a smokefree Greater Merseyside as the most effective and efficient way to contribute to a reduction in smoking prevalence. It is recognised that other areas of Tobacco Control such as smoking cessation, underage sales and smuggling are also important to achieve this.

4. Smokefree environments are a right of all workers

Though enclosed public places are also important in the smoke free debate, the Smoke Free Programme will focus on workplaces and the right of all workers to breath air free of secondhand smoke.

5. The Smoke Free Programme is not limited to CHD-related activities

The Smoke Free Programme can support any work that fits within the above aims and is not restricted to work related to CHD. Achieving smokefree-dom through any means will support CHD prevention.

6. Legislative measures support the Programme's public health aims

It is recognised that legislative approaches are needed to achieve the Smoke Free Programme aims and the necessary advocacy will be a priority, locally, regionally, nationally and internationally where appropriate.

HoM welcomes the forthcoming Health Bill legislation and will be working with partners to ensure its effective implementation and application in as wide a range of settings as possible.

7. Integrated approaches work best

Strategic work will be prioritised, though it is recognised that developing an inclusive Smoke Free Programme that integrates local activity with policy will be most successful and that partnership working is key to success.

VALENTINE'S DAY MILESTONE

February 14^th, 2006 proved such a significant milestone for everyone working on or with HoM's Smoke Free Programme. It was the day that the government voted overwhelmingly in favour of comprehensive smokefree legislation to protect all workers from the dangers of secondhand smoke.

HoM and fellow campaigners were ecstatic. We had lobbied at every level to secure 'across the board' protection for workers, which meant going against the government's original proposal - one that failed to protect workers in pubs that didn't serve food and private members' clubs.

In the months leading up to the vote - and backed by a strong evidence base - the Smoke Free Programme supported Local Authorities in Merseyside to consider their own local legislative approaches. This sent a clear message to the government about how seriously the people of Greater Merseyside regard health equality.

The Merseyside Authorities of Wirral, Knowsley and St. Helens collectively deposited a Private Bill to protect all workers from secondhand smoke. The bill was deposited at the House of Lords on 29^th November, 2005 and had its first reading on 23^rd January, 2006. Such is the strength of feeling locally, the Bill will not be withdrawn until there is absolute certainty that comprehensive legislation for England will be passed in the Lords.