Cheshire East launches health drive to help families go smoke free

 

Cheshire East Council is launching a health campaign to help families and mums-to-be stub out cigarettes and go smoke free.

The Smoke-free Families initiative aims to support local families to reduce levels of smoking – as it is still the most preventable cause of illnesses.

The campaign will focus on young families in Crewe when it is launched on Monday, October 21, by Councillor Janet Clowes, Cheshire East Council Cabinet member in charge of health and adult care services.

Statistics show that the highest rates of smoking in the UK are among adults aged 20-24 (27 per cent in 2010) and 25-34 (26 per cent in 2010). Therefore it is important that smokers in these age group are more aware of the harmful impact their smoking will have on their families and their unborn babies.

New statistics show that Crewe, in particular, has significantly higher rates of smoking among pregnant women at time of delivery (25.1 per cent) compared with the rest of Cheshire East. The Borough average is 19.8 per cent.

The key messages of the Smoke-free Families’ 1, 2, 3, Be Smoke-Free campaign are:

1) Stop smoking – think of the benefits for you and your family;

2) Pledge to keep your home and car smoke free;

3) Encourage others – be proud of your smoke-free choice.

Councillor Clowes said: “Smoking is the single most modifiable risk factor for health outcomes in pregnancy. It contributes to 40 per cent of all infant deaths.

“By targeting families with advice and support, the Council’s health professionals hope to reduce the level of pregnant women who are still smoking at the time they give birth.

“Pregnancy can be a stressful as well as exciting time and mums-to-be need to be made aware of the dangers that smoking can have on their children, both before and after they are born. Many do not realise the preventable health-damaging consequences that tobacco-smoke exposure can cause.”

Smoking during pregnancy can cause serious health problems including: complications during labour and increased risk of miscarriage.

Information about the campaign and stop smoking support will be available at the launch event at Eagle Bridge Health and Wellbeing Centre, on Dunwoody Way, Crewe, from 10.30am until 4pm on October 21. 

If you want to quit smoking call Cheshire East Stop Smoking Service free on 0800 085 8818 or visit the Council’s website on www.cheshireeast.gov.uk