NHS and Public Health Leaders to come together to support Stoptober and launch “All Together Smokefree”, a three year programme for a smokefree Cheshire and Merseyside.
Tuesday 1st October 2024 marks the launch of ‘Stoptober’; the Department of Health and Care’s annual stop smoking campaign. This is based on evidence that if a smoker makes it to 28 days smoke-free, they are five times more likely to quit for good.
Since its launch 12 years ago, over 2.5 million people have quit smoking with Stoptober and it is hoped that this number will continue to grow with this year’s campaign.
NHS and Public Health leaders from across Cheshire and Merseyside will come together tomorrow at the inaugural All Together Smokefree Partnership Board meeting, to offer their support for the Stoptober campaign. They will also launch a new regional programme, All Together Smokefree (ATS), with the bold ambition to end smoking everywhere, for everyone.
With significant investment both regionally and nationally into tackling smoking, this is a key priority for the sub-region. The Cheshire and Merseyside Health Care Partnership and Directors of Public and Population Health have collaboratively agreed on the ATS vision and ambition and have invested in a three-year programme to kickstart delivering a smokefree 2030.
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable ill health, premature death and health inequalities in C&M. Approximately 237,000 adults in the region still smoke, costing an estimated £1.9bn annually in health care-related expenses.
Cllr Louise Gittins, Chair of the Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership said:
“New data out this week shows that smoking rates are going down across Cheshire and Merseyside, and are below the national average, which is great news for our region and a testament to the hard work of our communities and stop smoking services. But over 10% of adults in Cheshire and Merseyside still smoke, and it remains the leading cause of preventable death and ill health – with everyone knowing someone who has been affected by tobacco harm.”
“That’s why our smokefree programme will deter young people from even trying a cigarette and in turn, prevent a possible lifetime of addiction and illnesses like cancer and heart disease. It will also offer motivation and support for every adult to quit because it’s never too late.”
“Tobacco harms our communities, NHS and the economy, so we are committed to creating a healthier, smokefree future for everyone and support the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, as we work together to tackle inequalities in smoking prevalence and smoking-related harms.”
Prof Ian Ashworth, Director of Population Health, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, said:
“Smoking has a huge impact on NHS services, costing over £6 billion a year in hospital admissions, GP consultations, prescriptions and treatments.”
“This money would be better spent on preventing these illnesses by helping people to quit smoking or stopping them ever starting and that is what the smokefree programme is all about.”
A smokefree Cheshire and Merseyside would not only result in a happier and healthier population, but would also reduce the pressure on local NHS services.”
Dr Sarah McNulty, Director of Public Health, Knowsley Council, said:
“Two in three smokers will die from smoking related causes, and many of these deaths happen far too early, often in middle age.”
“Quitting smoking is the best thing a smoker can do for their health, with almost immediate benefits, so we want to continue to support people across Cheshire and Merseyside to quit and stay quit, and to guarantee our children a smokefree future.”
“Campaigns like Stoptober are great for raising awareness and signposting to support at a national level, and we want to replicate this locally with a range of tools to help people to stop smoking.”
“We have some exciting initiatives planned over the next three years to really kickstart this vision and work towards a smokefree Cheshire and Merseyside.”
