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Smokefree
Spring campaign helps protect children in Sefton
SMOKE Free Spring; a campaign that
helped turn a series of family friendly events across Sefton into smoke free
zones; has been heralded as a success by both the public and local health
professionals.
Events that became smoke free included:- Sefton Community Markets, Litherland Park
Community Gala Day, Seaforth Children's Centre Children's Fun Day, Santa's
Easter Egg Hunt and Cancer Research UK's Race for Life, in Southport.
In total at least 4,500 people; many children; benefited from smoke free zones
during the programme of events.
Smoke free Spring has been co-ordinated by Sefton Council and local social
enterprise Healthier Futures, formerly Tobacco Free Futures.
As well as promoting healthy behaviours to children, the smoke free events will
also help to reduce litter and reduce the chances of young children picking up
and potentially eating cigarette butts that are toxic. Less places for adults to
smoke also encourages smokers to quit and makes it easier for ex-smokers to not
be tempted.
Gemma Farrell and Naomi Ullman, both 31 and
from Ainsdale, Southport, who were running at Cancer Research UK's Race for Life
at the weekend, support the campaign.
Naomi said:- "I used to smoke but gave
up a few months ago. The benefits have been great and it has really helped with
my running. I think smoke free events for families and children are a great
idea. I have 2 kids, and it's great to promote healthy behaviour to them. I
would like to see more."
Gemma said:- "Most of my family smoke, and my mum has smoked since she was
about 14. I grew up around it, and it has put me off ever starting to be honest.
I don't want my kids to start smoking either; so healthy smoke free events like
this are great. I'd like to see more across Sefton."
Demand for smoke free events and spaces with children present is high in Sefton,
according to a recent survey 93% of people in Sefton questioned were supportive
of smoke free outdoor events for children and families, with only 5% of people
unsupportive.
Matthew Ashton, Sefton Council's shared Director of Public Health said:-
"It's great to see that these smoke free events have been welcomed not only in
the pre-campaign research, but by families actually attending the events.
Smoking has a devastating effect on our communities and families, with 1 in 2
long term smokers dying prematurely from their addiction. At Sefton Council, we
are committed to tackling the harms caused by tobacco in our communities,
especially to children, and want to see more healthy, smoke free family friendly
events in our area that everyone can enjoy."
Andrea Crossfield, Chief Executive of Healthier Futures (formerly named Tobacco
Free Futures) added:- "Young people consistently overestimate the
prevalence of smoking, with 60% thinking it's the 'norm', when in reality four
out of five people don't smoke in Sefton. Smoke free Spring has been created to
increase the amount of clean and healthy environments that children and families
play in. This campaign is about promoting great, healthy positive spaces to
children and families. The more events that become smoke free, the less likely
children are to take up smoking; preventing them from entering into a deadly
addiction that kills one in 2 long term smokers."
If you are thinking about quitting smoking you can contact your local stop
smoking service for free help and support by calling Sefton Support on:- 0300 100
1000.
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