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Tobacco Free Futures
date

June 2015

New Government tobacco plan announced, as ASH launches landmark Smoking Still Kills report to tackle tobacco

This month we were delighted to hear Jane Ellison, Public Health Minister, announce at the Parliamentary launch of the ASH Smoking Still Kills report that the Department of Health will develop a new tobacco plan. Smoking Still Kills is a blue print for a five year Government strategy on tobacco, which sets out recommendations for a new tobacco control strategy once the current Tobacco Control Plan for England ends in December 2015.  To read the full report and recommendations visit ASH.

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Smokefree law in England 'cuts child hospital admissions'

Banning smoking in public places in England helped cut the number of children being admitted to hospital with respiratory infections by about 11,000 a year, researchers have said. The introduction of smoke-free legislation in 2007 was followed by an immediate 3.5% drop in admissions among under-15s. TFF took part in radio interviews across the North West to welcome the news. The biggest fall, of nearly 14%, was among those suffering chest infections, while there were smaller effects among admissions for nose, throat and sinus infections. click here.

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Mental health patients 'smoke three times as much'

A Public Health England and NHS survey of 105 care units suggests that mental health patients smoke significantly more than the general population. Whilst around 18% of the general population smoke, the survey found smoking rates amongst mental health patients were three times higher at around 64%. Click here to find out more.

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Wales: Royal Pharmaceutical Society backs e-cigarette ban in public places

Legislation to ban the use of e-cigarettes in enclosed public spaces in Wales has been supported by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), which warns that rising use of the devices threatens to normalise smoking once more. Read more here.

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Public health funding reduced by £200 million

We were disappointed to hear the Government announce proposed in-year reductions of £200 million to public health. Councils already have to find savings of £2.5 billion before April after receiving 8.5 per cent less funding from government to run local services in 2015/16.

A potential  £200 million reduction in public health funding will clearly have some impact on councils' ability to improve the public's health and wellbeing. The Local Government Association has issued a statement which you can read here. A consultation is expected to be announced soon on behalf of the Department of Health, and individual LA responses, which will outline why LAs should be properly resourced, will be essential. More details to follow.

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Tobacco industry accused of fueling cigarette smuggling to boost profits

The tobacco industry has been accused of “appalling hypocrisy”, amid claims that it is fuelling the illicit trade in cigarette smuggling to bolster its arguments against tax increases and other anti-smoking measures. Read more here,

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Half a million smokers have switched to electronic cigarettes from tobacco

New ASH data suggests there are now 2.6 million vapers in Britain, up from 2.1 million in 2014. Nearly all of this increase is attributable to a rise in the number of ex-smokers using electronic cigarettes. Read more here.

Editor's note

Hi , welcome to your June eNews.

It's been a month of mixed emotion as we welcomed the brilliant news that following ASH's Smoking Still Kills report, the Department of Health has now announced it will develop a new tobacco strategy, meaning a targeted approach to tackling tobacco.

However this followed the worrying news that public health budgets are likely to suffer a further £200m reduction meaning more and more people will be risk of developing unhealthy behaviours including smoking. As ever we will be looking at how we can work smarter and alongside different partners to ensure we are using all our connections and resources to help tackle tobacco in local communities to the best effect.

Ian White, Project Manager: Communications and Marketing

Local News

Greater Manchester

Salford smokers urged to quit in controversial campaign

Cheshire and Merseyside

Crackdown launched to prevent smoking outside Wirral Council buildings

Lancashire 

Preston’s play areas go smoke-free

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