A new strategy to tackle the harm caused by cigarettes and vaping has been approved by Havering Council’s Cabinet.
The Tobacco Harm Reduction Strategy is a five-year plan to reduce smoking in order to create a smoke-free society by 2030 and improve the wellbeing of the local population.
Over the next five years, the strategy, which has been developed as part of a partnership with local organisations, will target those most affected by smoking, including those with mental health conditions, substance addiction and manual workers.
The partnership hopes to achieve:
- a reduction in adult smoking across the population and in key groups
- more robust enforcement of illegal tobacco and vape sales and marketing
- a reduction in youth smoking and vaping
- a healthier population
Currently, there are around 32,500 smokers in Havering who collectively spend £78.5 million each year on smoking and vaping. That’s equivalent to £2,400 per person.
Younger residents are also impacted by smoking, with 480 children taking it up each year.
A recent youth wellbeing survey revealed that 12 percent of 12 to 15 year-olds have experimented with vaping.
The Council will work with parents, schools and young people to raise awareness of the potential harm of vapes to young people.
Councillor Gillian Ford, Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing, said:
“Smoking is the leading cause of preventable ill health and early death. It remains the primary cause of many illnesses such as cancer, heart and lung disease.
“It also has a huge social impact; it causes loss of income and working days due to illness, and results in many residents needing medical treatment and care in later life, which puts pressure on local health services.
"It is however not just the smoker that suffers, as it places family members at risk of ill health and loss of family income.
“Our aim is to show the many benefits of quitting, by making free support more accessible, creating more smoke-free environments and helping make smoking less visible in line with the national ambition.”
A number of free stop smoking support services are available locally, including in some pharmacies where Varenicline, a highly effective medication, is available to help people quit smoking.