Comments are being invited on the draft Lanarkshire Tobacco Control Strategy and Action Plan for 2011-2014.
Tobacco smoking remains the biggest single preventable cause of ill health, disability and early death in Lanarkshire and Scotland as a whole with three out of every 10 adults in Lanarkshire smoking. Smoking is directly linked to health inequalities with prevalence significantly higher in areas of deprivation and vulnerable groups.
The draft strategy has been developed by NHS Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire Council, South Lanarkshire Council and other community planning partners including Strathclyde Fire and Rescue and the voluntary sector.
It draws on the recommendations of Scotland’s Future is Smoke Free (2008) and the recent Guide to Smoking Cessation Service in Scotland (2010) and sets out an ambitious range of multi-agency driven actions, with a particular focus on reducing health inequalities.
Significant progress has been made in recent years to tackle Scotland’s smoking culture.
The implementation of Lanarkshire’s Tobacco Control Strategy will build on progress to date and ensure a coordinated response to reducing the impact of tobacco on the health of the Lanarkshire population.
Actions will be taken by all partners to reduce the number of young people who take up smoking, ensure evidence based support is available for those who wish to stop smoking, and address the wider harm caused by tobacco, including reducing the impact of second hand smoke.
These actions are supported by a range of wider socio-economic policies and strategies being taken forward locally and nationally which aim to improve life circumstances, life chances and reduce overall health inequalities.
Working together, we can reduce the harmful effects of tobacco and move towards a smoke free future for the children of Lanarkshire.
Comments on the draft strategy are invited from all interested parties and should be returned by post or email by Friday 4 November 2011 to:
Sandra Dougan
Health Improvement
NHS Lanarkshire
Law House
Carluke
ML8 5ER
01698 377622
sandra.dougan@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk