Board is backing charter

Smoke free plans

Rutherglen and Cambuslang could become smoke free towns if the health board covering the area has their way.

NHS Lanarkshire have revealed plans to make the region tobacco free by encouraging the next generation of young people to resist the urge to smoke.

They have become one of the first health boards in Scotland to sign Scotland’s ‘Charter for a Tobacco Free Generation’, which aims to ensure that all children and young people are not exposed to the harmful effects of tobacco by 2034.

The initiative is promoted by the health charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) Scotland.

NHS Lanarkshire chief executive Calum Campbell said: “Our work already focuses on the key charter principles, so we were more than happy to sign up and encourage others to support every baby being free from the harmful effects of tobacco, ensuring children can play, learn and socialise in places that are free from tobacco, children having access to effective education and young people being offered support to help them become tobacco free.”

Assistant health promotion manager Elspeth Russell, added: “We have made good progress in Lanarkshire over the years by helping people to quit, promoting the dangers of second hand smoke, and encouraging more young people to choose not to take it up in the first place.”

Visit www. ashscotland. org.uk/charter .