Council's £200,000 campaign to help residents quit smoking

A report, discussed at the recent Health and Wellbeing Board meeting, revealed community groups have been given grants to provide tailored help as part of a targeted approach by the Council’s Public Health team.

Cllr Jane Slater, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Health and Care, said:

“There are so many people who want to stop but just need support on their journey to giving up smoking.

“This funding is targeted at residents who need support the most. In the long-term, this money is a great investment. By helping people quit, it reduces the financial burden on the NHS. More importantly, it reduces the risk of serious diseases among our residents and helps them live healthier and happier lives.”

Community groups given funding include Gorse Hill Studios, who will be working with care leavers to help them kick their smoking and vaping habit. Their project includes alternative activities like cooking, art, music, dance, and sports, while exploring the reasons behind their smoking habits.

Hidden Treasures will be supporting Trafford residents living in Partington to stop smoking by offering 12-week smoking cessation support, while Age UK Trafford’s offer will include 1:1 sessions, group sessions and peer support to help people aged over 50 to give up.

Voice of BME will be targeting support to ethnically diverse communities in Trafford as part of a project to reduce health inequalities in the borough.

In addition to the £200,000 funding from the government, the Public Health and Trading Standards teams are also recruiting an enforcement officer to target underage and illicit sales of tobacco and e-cigarettes.

Cllr Slater said:

“We need to stop children getting lured into taking up smoking and so we will continue to crackdown on those businesses that make illegal sales and support a smoke-free generation.”

To access support to quit smoking, and for details of the other organisations being awarded grants, visit Trafford Directory’s Stop Smoking Support Services webpage.
Smokers are being offered support as part of Trafford Council’s £200,000 drive to help people kick the habit.

A report, discussed at the recent Health and Wellbeing Board meeting, revealed community groups have been given grants to provide tailored help as part of a targeted approach by the Council’s Public Health team.

Cllr Jane Slater, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Health and Care, said:

“There are so many people who want to stop but just need support on their journey to giving up smoking.

“This funding is targeted at residents who need support the most. In the long-term, this money is a great investment. By helping people quit, it reduces the financial burden on the NHS. More importantly, it reduces the risk of serious diseases among our residents and helps them live healthier and happier lives.”

Community groups given funding include Gorse Hill Studios, who will be working with care leavers to help them kick their smoking and vaping habit. Their project includes alternative activities like cooking, art, music, dance, and sports, while exploring the reasons behind their smoking habits.

Hidden Treasures will be supporting Trafford residents living in Partington to stop smoking by offering 12-week smoking cessation support, while Age UK Trafford’s offer will include 1:1 sessions, group sessions and peer support to help people aged over 50 to give up.

Voice of BME will be targeting support to ethnically diverse communities in Trafford as part of a project to reduce health inequalities in the borough.

In addition to the £200,000 funding from the government, the Public Health and Trading Standards teams are also recruiting an enforcement officer to target underage and illicit sales of tobacco and e-cigarettes.

Cllr Slater said:

“We need to stop children getting lured into taking up smoking and so we will continue to crackdown on those businesses that make illegal sales and support a smoke-free generation.”

To access support to quit smoking, and for details of the other organisations being awarded grants, visit Trafford Directory’s Stop Smoking Support Services webpage.