£200k anti-smoking drive announced for Burnley

An East Lancashire local authority is to spend £200,000 to persuade the almost one-fifth of its borough residents to give up smoking.

Burnley has one of the highest rates for smokers in the county at 19.6 per cent.

Now its council’s executive on Wednesday is set to authorise the spending of a £200,000 public health grant from Lancashire County Council to step up its anti-smoking drive.

A report to the meeting says: “It is recommended to accept the £200,000 from LCC to enable further collaboration with the voluntary, community and faith sector to encourage engagement in relation to key health, housing and educational challenges which includes the importance of smoking cessation.

“Smoking rates vary significantly across Lancashire from 9.2 per cent in the Ribble Valley to 19.6 per cent in Burnley.

“The impact of smoking is extensive across our communities and is closely linked to health inequalities.

“Smokers have a recorded life expectancy that is at least 10 years shorter than non-smokers, with the effects being more pronounced among disadvantaged groups.

“LCC Funding will be allocated to the three districts with the highest smoking prevalence: Lancaster, Preston and Burnley.

“Burnley’s allocation is £200,000.

“Burnley’s proposal is to work with the voluntary, community and faith sector provision over a two-year period, identifying and supporting community champions to foster collaboration to address key health and housing challenges.

“The proposal includes: recruit additional community champions; highlighting the impact of smoking on health and increasing referrals into Smokefree Lancashire; exploring the benefits of further deep dives into specific topics and/or groups within our community; providing tailored support, including peer groups and digital tools; offering a 12-week health programme incorporating support and ensure pathways are in place to refer to Smokefree Lancashire to quit smoking alongside structured physical activity sessions to empower clients in making healthy changes to their lifestyles.

“It also includes promoting at every opportunity the health campaign relating to smoking; raising awareness of the harms of smoking and nicotine addiction (including vaping); and co-ordinating targeted campaigns such as risk-taking behaviours linking to smoking and vaping, child sexual exploitation, substance use, mental health, and healthy relationships, through workshops at Burnley College and the University of Lancashire.”