Not smoking around children is one of the best ways to help ensure they don’t smoke when they grow up.
NHS Lanarkshire’s Quit Your Way team has launched its Positive Smoke-Free Role Models project, in partnership with Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire (VANL) and Community Links, which is designed to support members of the community, whether they smoke or not, to become positive smoke-free role models.
The project has a particular focus on children and families, and works towards:
- Preventing children and young people from becoming the next generation of people who smoke
- Protecting children, adults, and pets from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke
Karen Mather, tobacco control team leader, NHS Lanarkshire said: “We’re really thrilled to have launched this new and exciting project with VANL and Community Links.
“It will reduce children’s visibility to smoking, with the intention that they will grow up less likely to smoke, and will protect them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.
“Whether it’s not smoking around children, making homes and cars smoke-free, or positively influencing others to get involved and take the pledge, anyone in Lanarkshire can be a positive smoke-free role model, and contribute to the vision of a smoke-free Lanarkshire.”
Gina Alexander, community solutions programme manager, VANL said: “Positive Smoke-Free Role Models is a great community led project supporting the work to protect our children and young people from the harmful effects of smoking and second-hand smoking.
“We have been delighted to be able to work in partnership with colleagues in NHS Lanarkshire’s Tobacco Control Team to develop our grassroots approach involving the Community Solutions organisations who work in and with their communities.
“To date, we’ve had over 100 pledges and we are looking forward to receiving many more.”
Paul Hayward, communications officer, Community Links said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with NHS Lanarkshire and being involved in such an innovative and exciting programme.
“We are a Community-Anchor organisation and working within the local area, to develop and create long-lasting change for local people, is at the heart of what we do. The Positive Smoke-Free Role Model programme aims to protect our children and young people from the harmful effects of smoking and second-hand smoking. We encourage everyone of all ages and backgrounds to get involved and pledge their support.”
Find out more about taking the pledge:
Quit Your Way is a free NHS stop smoking service. To find out more information on stop smoking services, call the Quit Your Way helpline service on 0800 84 84 84 or visit QuitYourWay.scot.
Quit Your Way can be contacted Monday – Friday from 9am until 5pm.
You can also visit your local Community Pharmacy for FREE stop smoking support.
