Notts: Council tackling harmful impact of tobacco on county

The Notts Health and Wellbeing Board is ushering in a declaration that commits organisations across both public and private sectors in working together to address tobacco harm.
County Hall at Trent BridgeCounty Hall at Trent Bridge
County Hall at Trent Bridge

The Notts county declaration on tobacco control enables multiple public, private and voluntary organisations to make a commitment to reducing smoking in their communities and producing action plans to address the impacts of tobacco use.

In return the organisations will receive support to develop their action plan, and will be provided with training for staff, a toolkit and regular advice and input from the Public Health tobacco control team.

The Notts declaration is the first declaration established that calls on partners to work together to tackle the damage caused by tobacco locally.

Councillor Joyce Bosnjak, chair of the Notts Health and Wellbeing Board at Nott County Council, said: “The harm that tobacco causes stretches across all parts of society, and if we are to make significant progress in tackling it locally we need to work together as a community.”

“The development of our own local declaration calls on major organisations in Notts to take a stake in tobacco control and make it all of our responsibilities.”

“I am delighted to sign it on behalf of the NottsHealth and Wellbeing Board.”

“We’re in the process of engaging with some of the largest employers in the area.”

The declaration was signed by Coun Bosnjak on Wednesday 1st October.

Many organisations across both the city and county are now being approached to sign the declaration.

Signing of the declaration in Notts also coincides with the first day of the annual Stoptober challenge which is encouraging smokers to quit for 28 days in October.

Smoking has a profound effect in the Notts County, killing around 1,300 people in Notts every year.

It is also the biggest contributor to health inequalities costs Notts an estimated £203m every year through lost productivity, treatment for smoking related diseases and social care.