Health leaders across Humber and North Yorkshire are calling for the immediate introduction of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill following the release of new smoking prevalence data.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), adult smoking rates in Humber and North Yorkshire have dropped 0.4% – the equivalent of around 3,500 people* giving up smoking, which is the leading cause of preventable death.
Even though this is a positive change, some areas of the Humber and North Yorkshire region still contain some of the highest smoking rates in the country, which directly impacts the health, economy, social care and community in those areas.
This is why NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) has funded a Centre for Excellence in Tobacco Control, working hand in hand with public health, primary and secondary care partners across the region to coordinate activity, support services and campaigns to drive quitting behaviours across the region, alongside coordinating support for the lifesaving Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which they hope to see read in parliament after the conference recess.
Stephen Eames CBE, Chief Executive Officer of NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, said: “We are proud to have launched our new Centre for Excellence in Tobacco Control, which is already making significant strides, but we know there is still much more to do.
“By taking a system-wide approach to tobacco control, we are combining efforts to prevent smoking uptake with large-scale quit initiatives. From public education campaigns and tackling illicit tobacco to local, place-based interventions and enhanced support embedded in our Targeted Lung Health Check programme, we are driving real change towards a future free from the harms of tobacco.”
Scott Crosby, Associate Director for the Humber and North Yorkshire Centre for Excellence in Tobacco Control, said: “It is positive to see a decline in smoking rates and it is testament to the success of both individual smokers and the concentrated efforts of partners working across the region – in both supporting people to quit and preventing the next generation from taking up smoking.
“These figures show progress is being made, but tobacco is responsible for 2,541 premature deaths each year in the region – that’s seven lives lost every single day – along with 18,494 hospital admissions to treat smoking-related illnesses.
“What better time for the government to progress the Tobacco and Vapes bill and protect our future generations from this uniquely harmful product, than during the national Department of Health campaign, Stoptober.”
Search Stoptober for more information, including the free NHS stop smoking app and links to free expert support from your local stop smoking service.