A multi-pronged public health drive was agreed at County Hall today including a ‘smokefree policies in public places and workplaces’ pledge.
The Isle of Wight Health and Wellbeing Board, made up of figures from across the Isle of Wight’s community, council and public services, decided to press ahead with a package of measures to reduce smoking and vaping.
Four main recommendations were agreed which were set out in a report presented to the forum today:
“Endorse and actively promote the Smokefree Generation Programme.
“Support to strengthen referrals into the Isle of Wight stop smoking service by ensuring all health and care staff are trained in Very Brief Advice.
“Align and amplify smoking and vaping communications messages, agreeing leadership.
“Sign a pledge committing to smokefree policies in public places and outdoor workplaces.”
The Smokefree Generation Programme is an anti-smoking scheme with four key focus areas: building capacity, collaborative working, building demand and evaluation.
Building capacity means expanding the council’s stop smoking service with extra special provision for young people and those interested in giving up vaping.
Collaborative working refers to anti-smoking and anti-vaping work of the multi-agency Isle of Wight Tobacco Control Sub-Group, directed by the Isle of Wight Public Health Strategy.
The focus point also includes working with Island schools and colleges to provide teachers, carers and parents with resources relating to smoking and vaping.
Building demand involves ‘communication and marketing’ campaigns carried out all through the year and targets ‘higher risk’ groups such as pregnant women and young people.
The campaigns would be run in tandem with those managed by the stop smoking service.
Evaluation relates to collaborating with a university to assess the effect of the Smokefree Generation Programme on the level of smoking across the Island, methods of working with partners and general cost effectiveness.
The ‘Very Brief Advice’ referred to in the recommendations agreed today means an evidenced 30-second clinical intervention identifying smokers, giving them advice on the best way to stop smoking and providing assistance with attempts to give up the habit.
Simon Bryant, director of public health at the Isle of Wight Council, said:
“The purpose of the report is to give an overview of the Smokefree Generation Programme.
“When the then prime minister Rishi Sunak announced the bill around the Smokefree Generation, he also gave local councils through the public health role increased funding for the Smokefree Generation Programme.
“Smoking is the single most preventable cause of ill health – so if we can tackle that we will have a healthier population.”
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