Decision details

To provide £100,000 to commission 2 extra workers for smoking cessation, and these to be based within Area Council teams. In addition to this, two incentives schemes will be established: one for young people attending Barnsley College and one for pregnant women who smoke. Part of the funding will also be used on a marketing campaign targeted in the highest smoking prevalence areas of Barnsley.

Tobacco smoking is a significant risk factor for both viral and bacterial infections of the respiratory system, with smokers five times as likely to develop influenza and twice as likely to have pneumonia. It may therefore be an important factor worsening the impact of COVID-19. There is evidence that smoking is associated with more severe disease, a greater risk of intensive care unit admission and excess mortality in people with COVID-19 admitted to hospital. How the pandemic is affecting smoking behaviour has implications for provision and targeting of cessation support.

None.