County Council continues commitment to cut smoking in Hampshire

Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Public Health, Councillor Patricia Stallard, has given approval to continue to invest a maximum of £11 million on smoking cessation services in the county over the next five years

Latest data available shows that in 2015-17 there were over 5,000 deaths attributable to smoking each year in Hampshire. The new contract will start in October 2019, providing Hampshire’s smokers with free access to stop smoking support.

Councillor Stallard said, “Smoking is still the biggest cause of preventable deaths in England and it is estimated that 13 per cent of the Hampshire population continues to smoke. As soon as you stop smoking, you feel the health benefits so we are committed to providing free and accessible support for residents, especially those in our communities most at risk from smoking related harm.”

In addition, data reveals that the cost to health, social care and local communities of smoking in Hampshire is nearly £300 million a year.

Councillor Stallard added: “There are many reasons for supporting people in their efforts to quit, not least of which is that within two to twelve weeks, blood circulation improves, making physical activity such as walking and running much easier. After one year of not smoking, your risk of having a heart attack is reduced by half and after two years, your risk of stroke is reduced to half that of a smoker.”