Organisations from across Swindon are doubling down on their commitment to address health inequalities and reduce smoking rates by re-signing key pledges, including The Local Government Declaration on Tobacco Control and The NHS Smokefree Pledge.
The unveiling of Swindon’s new Tobacco Control Strategy marks a significant step towards creating a smoke-free environment where everyone can enjoy a long and healthy life.
The latest local statistics reveal a sobering reality – smoking claims the lives of approximately four people every week in Swindon.
Shockingly, for each life lost, another 20 individuals grapple with smoking-related illnesses. In response to this health crisis, local leaders gathered at the STEAM Museum in September to renew their commitment to a strategy that aims to:
- Protect children and prevent young people from taking up smoking and vaping.
- Support the establishment of a smoke-free environment.
- Communicate hope and increase efforts to quit smoking.
- Reduce the availability and access to illegal tobacco and nicotine vaping products in the community.
The strategy also sets ambitious targets, including reducing the prevalence of smoking in the adult population to 5 percent by 2028. Additionally, it aims to bring down the prevalence of smoking in routine and manual workers to below 10 percent and in those with a serious mental illness to below 20 percent.
The Local Government Declaration on Tobacco Control, initially signed in 2013, saw key figures such as Councillor Jim Robbins, the Leader of Swindon Borough Council, Sam Mowbray, the Council’s Chief Executive, and Professor Steve Maddern, Director of Public Health, reaffirm their commitment. Kevin McNamara, Chief Executive for Great Western Hospital in Swindon, also attended to re-sign the NHS Smokefree Pledge, first signed in 2018.
Councillor Jim Grant, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Joint Working and Communities, expressed, “We acknowledge that smoking is not a choice; it is an addiction. However, we’re committed to meaningful change at all levels of the system to create hope and promote a smoke-free environment that supports people to quit for good.”
Tobacco addiction not only affects individuals but has a wider impact on households and communities. Nearly 4,000 households in Swindon are plunged into poverty due to tobacco addiction, impacting 3,500 children. The financial burden is significant, costing the average smoker nearly £2,000 a year.
National data suggests that the most vulnerable communities spend five times more of their weekly household budget on smoking. In light of the ongoing cost of living crisis, there is a strong call for individuals to quit smoking, and support is readily available.
Kevin McNamara, Chief Executive of Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, affirmed the commitment to supporting patients and staff to quit smoking. He highlighted internal cessation resources, including Nicotine Replacement Therapy for inpatients who smoke. The hospital site is also smoke-free, with smokers directed to local cessation support.
McNamara stated, “I’m proud to have re-signed the Smokefree Pledge here in Swindon to show our contribution to reducing the number of local people who smoke and ultimately improving the health outcomes for those who kick the habit.”
As part of the recent event, local stakeholders were urged to support Stoptober, a national campaign that has assisted over 2.5 million people in making quit attempts.
Residents seeking help to quit smoking can contact Swindon.stopsmoking@nhs.net for assistance from the local stop-smoking service or attend a drop-in clinic at Sanford House (College Street, SN1 1HE). These clinics are held every Wednesday from 9.30 am to 10.30am and 2pm to 4pm, with no appointment needed.
Free advice and quitting tools are also accessible on the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/
