Simon Lister, Service Manager, Yorkshire Smokefree, will give an overview and progress to date of the Stop Smoking Initiative across the North East Area Council area.
Minutes:
Simon Lister, Service Manager, Yorkshire Smokefree, and Sarah Sverdloff, the Healthy LIfestyle Advisor, were welcomed to the meeting. Members were given an overview and progress to date of the Stop Smoking Initiative across the North East Area Council area.
Key points to note included:
· Smoking is the biggest cause of preventable death in our country.
· Barnsley’s smoking prevalence rate is 18%, which is well above the national average, 26.9% in Cudworth, 26.5% in the North East, 25.5% in Monk Bretton and 23% in Royston. Higher smoking prevalence correlates with higher smoking related deaths – in this case more than double the rate in Penistone.
· Total societal cost of smoking in Barnsley is £63.5m and £10.4m in the North East Area. This includes healthcare, productivity, social care, house fires and littering.
· The NHS spends £50m each week on smoking related illnesses, which includes hospital admissions, in patient bed days and GP appointments. 20% of those with long term conditions in Barnsley continue to smoke. These are a key target group for smoking cessation.
· Adults and young people wanting to stop smoking are given face to face support, home visits, telephone/online support, out of hours sessions and a drop in stall on Barnsley Market.
· Sarah commenced in post in May 2018. The overall quit rate for the North East Area was 67% in Quarter One, 12% over target.
· Members were provided with details of locations and times of sessions across the North East area together with contact details. The session at Grimethorpe Family Centre is likely to move to the LIFT centre in the New Year.
· A school link person offers support to schools and there is a Smokefree schools programme in place. The most effective intervention for children and young people is to get parents to quit and break the cycle.
RESOLVED that Simon and Sarah be thanked for their attendance and contribution.