Teignbridge signs up to anti-smoking charter

Teignbridge is doing its bit to help stamp out smoking habits by signing up to the Local Government Declaration on Tobacco Control.

Teignbridge District Council has signed up to the statement of intent to do all it can to help reduce smoking rates among its communities as well as highlighting the harm smoking causes.

The council joins many others, both in Devon and across the country, in taking comprehensive action to address the matter.

In April 2013, the public health function transferred from the National Health Service to local authorities. Each top tier and unitary authority has its own Health and Wellbeing Board and a Director of Public Health. It is these boards which are responsible for commissioning stop smoking and other relevant services. Teignbridge is a key player in this important partnership.

This means doing things like early interventions, early diagnosis and providing people with options to change their lifestyle.

By signing the declaration it demonstrates a further commitment by Teignbridge to secure the health, welfare, social, economic and environmental benefits that come from reducing smoking prevalence.

Cllr Sylvia Russell, Teignbridge District Council’s Executive Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing, said:

“As part of our role in the Public Health agenda and as a proactive council, it is our responsibility to do all that we can to tackle smoking and work with our partners to promote healthy living choices to our residents.

"Because we have signed up to this declaration we are making a clear commitment to tackle the harmful effects of tobacco and we are working with partners to make headway in tackling this issue. It’s very much about helping those who want to make changes, raising awareness and ensuring people know the risks if they keep lighting up.

“Teignbridge has already done some really good things to encourage people to stop smoking. Last year we introduced three ‘smoke free’ play areas in Teignmouth and Newton Abbot so children were not exposed to cigarette fumes as they played.

“We are using our influence and networks as part of the Health and Wellbeing Board to address the disparities and give people the support they need in giving up smoking.

"It’s startling to know that smoking remains the single greatest cause of premature death and disease in England. We welcome this opportunity to lead local action to tackle smoking in our communities."

According to the Teignbridge Health Profile 2013 the percentage of people smoking in Teignbridge is 22.7% compared to 20% for England and 20.2% for Devon. Reducing that percentage will narrow the gap between inequalities and improve health.

Dr Virginia Pearson, Director of Public Health Devon, said: “Smoking is still the biggest cause of premature death and disease in Devon, with around 1,200 people dying prematurely across the county every year due to smoking-related diseases.

“Despite a general decline in smoking, just under one in five of all adults in Devon smoke, costing public services and the local economy around £200m every year, including the cost to the NHS, to employers in terms of lost productivity due to sick days and smoking breaks; house fires, clearing up litter and the effects of second hand smoke. Helping people to stop smoking is one of our top health and wellbeing priorities.

“It is great news that Teignbridge has added its signature to this declaration, which has strong support from the wider public health community including the Trading Standards Association, Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and the Association of Directors of Public Health as well as Public Health England, the Minister for Public Health and the Chief Medical Officer.”