Tackling Smoking in South Tyneside

South Tyneside Council is calling on the government to draw up a new plan to help people who smoke quit the habit.

Despite good progress in recent years, more than 15 per cent of people in the Borough smoke, which is the second highest rate in the region and higher than the average rate of 12 per cent. The number of people smoking rises steeply among certain groups with more than 45 per cent of people with a serious mental illness smoking and 28 per cent of manual workers.

Earlier this year the Government published an independent review of steps that could be taken to drive down the number of people who smoke still further. However, recent reports suggest that the government may break its pledge to publish a new Tobacco Control Plan for England to deliver on the Smokefree 2030 ambition.

At the meeting of the Borough Council, members will be asked to agree the recommendations of the Khan Review and write to the Health Minister to request that a   new Tobacco Control Plan for England is published.

Members will be told that many of the recommendations set out in the review are already well underway in South Tyneside. This includes working with the Foundation Trust to make sure hospital patients are asked about whether they smoke with free medication provided to those who do both during their hospital stay and beyond.
 

A pilot scheme targeting those with a severe mental illness is seeking to drive down smoking rates among this group in line with the Council's priority of supporting vulnerable adults while additional funding will target smokers in routine and manual roles from next year.

In a bid to make it easier for people to stop smoking, the number and range of smoke-free settings could be expanded. In the first instance, a pilot scheme has been suggested around smoke-free social care for both staff and service users, social housing (tenants and staff) and an enhanced support offer for Council and Homes staff working from Middlefields depot. Members will be asked to consider wider smoke-free settings such as play areas, beaches and town centres within South Tyneside.

Councillor Anne Hetherington, Lead Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing, said: "Smokers in disadvantaged communities are most likely to be disproportionately  impacted by poverty and the cost-of-living crisis. It is, therefore, more crucial than ever that we support people to quit. Doing so will not only improve people's health in our most deprived communities, but also their financial situation and mental health issues."