Smoking is the biggest cause of preventable death and illness in the UK. It is a key factor in people developing heart disease, strokes, cancer, dementia and lung disease.
The good news is that rates of smoking in Liverpool are decreasing. Over the past seven years, the number of people with the habit has dropped by 33,000. However, approximately 63,000 people continue to smoke.
The Liverpool Public Health team is developing a new Tobacco Control Plan for Liverpool and wants to hear from residents.
Harry Doyle, cabinet member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, said, “In the absence of any clear national direction, we want to continue Liverpool’s long-held leadership of the Tobacco Control agenda.
“We are therefore proposing to produce our own clear plan which sets out the support that will be provided to every smoker in the city to help them quit.
“We also want to ensure children, young people, and adults alike are able to live healthier lives by minimising the exposure for the whole community from the health problems caused by secondhand smoke. This is particularly important with children because their bodies are still growing. Infants and young children are especially affected by health issues caused by second-hand smoke”.
The proposed new plan will, for the first time, extend beyond smoking and also set out a clear outline of intentions relating to vaping.
Professor Matthew Ashton, Liverpool’s director of Public Health, said, “It is a fact that vaping products are now the most common aid used by adults in England who want to stop smoking. We also know many smokers have successfully quit using e-cigarettes. However, vapes are not harmless. The short-term effects include coughing, headaches, dizziness and sore throats. The long-term effects of vaping are, as yet, unknown.
“Our greatest concern is the impact that vaping is having on our children. Let us be clear, it is unacceptable that colourful, covetable, plastic vapes are permeating children’s lives and setting them up for a life-long dangerous smoking habit
“We have many issues to consider to ensure that our plan is fit for purpose and an incredibly important part of this process is to understand the view attitudes and behaviours of our residents in relation to smoking, vaping and protecting others from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.
Residents within the Liverpool City Council boundary can share their feedback by visiting the council’s consultations webpage. The consultation closes on August 4, 2023.