Plan revealed to help smokers stub it out
EMMA CURRY
APLAN to cut smoking rates across Lancashire to 12 per cent by 2022 has been approved.
The Lancashire Tobacco Control Plan, which was agreed by the county council’s cabinet, sets out measures to build on the work that has been delivered so far to encourage people to quit smoking.
It highlights how Lancashire will support the national target of working towards a smoke-free generation.
County councillor Shaun Turner, lead member for health and adult services, said: “Smoking is one of the major factors that contributes to the huge health inequalities across our county.
“It leads to thousands of premature deaths and causes people to live in ill health for many years. In financial terms, the costs associated with it are astronomical, too.
“The costs of smoking to Lancashire’s economy are over £291m each year, including £50m to the NHS.
“We’ve been successful in reducing smoking rates down to 16pc, but we need to build on this.
“The measures set out in the tobacco control plan will help us cut smoking rates to 12pc by 2022.”
The council will commission new digital services to encourage people to quit and will carrying out more targeted work to encourage specific groups to quit, such as pregnant women.
The council will continue to support people in quitting smoking by using nicotine products and e-cigarettes.
Coun Turner added: “We’re continuing to commission our Quit Squad stop smoking services to reduce smoking rates.
“We’ll also continue clamping down on underage tobacco, e-cigarette liquids and illicit tobacco sales. We’re also bringing in new measures, such as increasing the use of digital technology to help people quit, and supporting the use of e-cigarettes as an alternative to help people stop smoking.
“Together with work to target specific groups where smoking rates are particularly high, we hope to achieve our aim to make Lancashire’s next generation a smoke free generation.”
For more information about the Tobacco Control Plan for Lancashire, visit council. lancashire.gov.uk/ ielistdocuments.