County council steps up smoking crackdown

HEALTH CHIEFS in North Yorkshire have encouraged smokers to quit after figures revealed stark differences across the county in the number of people with the habit.

North Yorkshire County Council is supporting World No Tobacco Day on Wednesday, which this year highlights the link between tobacco and poverty across the globe.

A report by Action on Smoking and Health shows that rates vary significantly across the county, with 10 per cent of adults in Harrogate smoking, compared to 16 per cent in Selby.

The figures also reveal that 52,000 households across North Yorkshire could save money by giving up smoking, with most smokers on average who give up the habit saving £250 a month, which adds up to almost £3,000 in just one year.

Coun Caroline Dickinson, the council’s executive member for public health, said: “This year’s World No Tobacco Day highlights the fact that the true cost of tobacco use extends wider than the significant health issues it causes.

“By making the positive decision to give up, smokers can quickly enjoy a range of benefits.

“In just three days, smokers will feel less breathless and, after three months, coughs, wheezing and breathing problems will begin to decrease. Not only that, smokers will save significant amounts of money to return to their finances.”

Smokers who live or work in North Yorkshire can access free stop smoking advice and support at Smoke free life North Yorkshire. The service is funded by North Yorkshire County Council.

The authority and its partners are also supporting the Breathe 2025 initiative. Breathe 2025 is the over-arching campaign brand for work and aspirations to eliminate tobacco-related harm and health inequalities across Yorkshire and the Humber.

The vision is to see the next generation of children born and raised in a place free from tobacco, where smoking is unusual.