Signing up to stub it out
NHS Lanarkshire has supported South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture (SLLC) to sign up to Scotland’s Charter for a TobaccoFree Generation, the initiative created to help reduce the harm caused by smoking and stub it out completely by 2034.
SLLC now joins a wealth of more than 80 Lanarkshire organisations that have pledged to support charity ASH Scotland’s Charter to create a healthier Lanarkshire.
By signing, organisations endorse the five Charter principles which all work towards raising awareness of the impact of smoking on communities and ways organisations can play a part to combat it.
This ranges from creating smoke-free environments for children, protecting them from the harmful effects of tobacco, and signposting staff and residents to access free support to quit smoking.
NHS Lanarkshire’s health improvement team has worked with a variety of local organisations to help them sign up.
These include: South Lanarkshire Council, Abington Old Schoolhouse, Forth Community Resource Centre, North Lanarkshire Recovery Community and Coalburn Miners’ Welfare Charitable Society.
Karen Mather, team leader of Quit Your Way, NHS Lanarkshire, said: “We welcomed working with South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture as they aim to improve people’s health and wellbeing by addressing smoking.
“We’re delighted to support them to work towards their chosen pledges which will make a great difference to the community.
“ASH Scotland’s Charter is a fantastic initiative for local organisations to support a smoke-free vision for Lanarkshire and across Scotland.
“For every organisation that joins, it’s a positive step towards improving the health and wellbeing of residents living and working in Lanarkshire by reducing the harm caused by smoking.
“We encourage and work with organisations to join and would urge any thinking about finding out more to contact our service for information and support.”
Kay Morrison, chief executive, South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture, added: “South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture is delighted to sign up to ASH Scotland’s Charter.
“We will enthusiastically implement measures that help endorse the charter principles and the initiative fits perfectly with our health and wellbeing strategic objective.
“This has the primary aim of helping the people of South Lanarkshire live healthier, happier lives with a focus on physical and mental wellbeing.”
Sheila Duffy, chief executive, ASH Scotland, said: “Collaborative working with local communities is at the heart of Scotland’s Charter for a Tobacco-free Generation.
“We are delighted that South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture is joining other local organisations in promoting smoke-free environments and informing local people about NHS Lanarkshire’s Quit Your Way service’s stop smoking support.
“Partnership working with committed communitybased organisations like South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture is vital in helping to reach more people with details about the quick positive impacts such as improving mental health and halving the risk of coronary heart disease that can be delivered within a year of giving up smoking.”
If organisations are interested in helping support Scotland to become a Tobacco-Free Generation by signing the Charter, email tobaccofreecharter@ lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk
To find out about the stop smoking services and access to quit in your area, call the Quit Your Way service on 0800 84 84 84 between Monday and Friday, from 9am to 5pm, or visit QuitYourWay.scot.
You can also visit your local Community Pharmacy for free stop smoking support.