Lancashire secures £1.6m to bolster efforts to help more people quit smoking
Lancashire County Council has been successful in securing £1.6 million in new funding to bolster its efforts in combating smoking and enhancing smoking cessation services in the region.
The money is part of additional funding the Government is investing to support local authority-led stop smoking services and support.
Smoking remains a significant public health concern for Lancashire and rising levels of vaping, particularly among younger people, is also a cause for concern.
The funding will play a pivotal role in supporting initiatives aimed at reducing smoking rates and promoting healthier lifestyles across Lancashire. It will empower the council to improve smoking cessation services, providing essential resources to help individuals kick the habit for good.
The funding news comes as the county council's Health and Wellbeing Board pledged to support the Government's intention to achieve a 'smokefree generation'.
County Councillor Michael Green, cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing at Lancashire County Council, said: "The changes being proposed by the Government will mean our children will never be able to be legally sold a cigarette or other tobacco product, protecting an entire generation of young people from the harms of smoking.
"I wholeheartedly welcome these proposals and this substantial financial support will enable us to continue our work in helping to reduce smoking rates in Lancashire."
The county council's Public Health team is currently in the process of formulating a local response to the Government's consultation on the smokefree generation policy.
The proposed legislation will make it an offence for anyone born on or after 1 January 2009 to be sold tobacco products – effectively raising the smoking age by a year each year until it applies to the entire population.
This has the potential to phase out smoking in young people almost completely as early as 2040.
Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, Director of Public Health, Lancashire County Council, said: "Smoking remains a significant public health concern for Lancashire and we're committed to tackling this head on.
"We know that most people who start smoking before the age of 20 remain addicted for the rest of their lives.
"This new funding will help us to provide effective and accessible resources for our residents to quit smoking and lead healthier lives, creating a healthier, more resilient Lancashire."
For local information and support visit Smokefree Lancashire or call them on 0808 196 2638.
For more information visit Stop smoking - Lancashire County Council