Fresh statement around smokefree outdoor areas
“Tobacco smoking is lethal and way too many people in the North East have died from smoking-caused illnesses, robbing families of loved ones over many generations. It’s still our biggest killer and as a region there is strong support to reduce smoking rates further as shown in our North East declaration for a Smokefree Future.
Fresh will continue to advocate for evidence based policies that will help smokers to stop including the role of vaping, to stop children and young people from getting hooked to either smoking or vaping, and also to protect from second hand harms of tobacco smoke. We have made good progress overall in the region but smoking rates are much higher in some groups especially in our less advantaged communities and also people with mental health conditions.
It is important that the next version of a Tobacco and Vapes Bill has effective policies within it that address smoking related health inequalities and we look forward to seeing this when published. We will respond to further consultations, including on potential restrictions to smoking in outdoor spaces. We recognise that breathing in second hand tobacco smoke is harmful and through our smokefree families focus we have encouraged people who smoke not do so in the home, but to take it outside.
We have also continued to advocate to extend the current smoking law on private vehicles with under 18s to include all vehicles given how harmful second hand smoke is in this confined space. There is a role for smokefree outdoors spaces too, particularly in areas where children and patients congregate, and we know there is public support for this. We welcome the opportunity to continue to discuss our ambition for a smokefree future and to collaborate with the many partners and importantly the public on how we can achieve this in the longer term.”