Local sports clubs, charities, businesses, community venues, groups and representatives from across Forth Valley have committed to help reduce the harm from smoking by supporting Scotland’s Charter for a Tobacco-free Generation by 2034.

During a local community event timed to coincide with national No Smoking Day, Charter supporters committed to reducing the harm from tobacco through their pledges. Pledges included smokefree environments, raising awareness of harm from tobacco and benefits of stopping smoking, including signposting to stop smoking support.

Gillian Lamb, NHS Forth Valley Health Improvement Officer who works with Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership, said pledging support for a tobacco free generation was vitally important. She explained: “Local communities across Forth Valley continue to be negatively impacted from the many harms caused by smoking. We all have a responsibility to protect future generations and to support anyone who wishes to stop smoking. Being part of a collective action will help reduce inequalities and improve the health and wellbeing of local people now and in the future.”

Rachel Parker, Engagement Development Officer for Ash Scotland said: “As prominent figures in their communities it is fantastic to see a range of organisations committing to Scotland’s Charter for a Tobacco-free Generation. They recognise the enormous benefits of promoting smoke-free communities, and share ASH Scotland and NHS Forth Valley’s vision of a Scotland free from the harm and inequality caused by smoking.’

Community groups and initiatives across Forth Valley can also apply for a grant of £500 and tailored assistance to help improve the mental, physical and financial wellbeing of people they work with who smoke, particularly in disadvantaged areas. These groups support people facing the greatest challenges to good health, including those experiencing poverty, mental illness, homelessness as well as people with caring responsibilities or experience of being in care or from a looked after background.

Figures released by Ash Scotland show that:

• The average annual cost for someone in Scotland who smokes is £1,720 per year
• Around two thirds of Scottish smokers would like to quit
• 35% of deaths in Scotland’s most deprived areas are from smoking attributable causes, compared with 8% in less deprived areas
• On average, lifelong smokers who started young and never stop die 10 years younger

More information on Scotland’s Charter for a Tobacco-free Generation can be found on the Ash Scotland website.

For our local service, you can contact them by email at fv.fvstopsmokingservice@nhs.scot or call 01786 433293. More information is also available here.