Fresh - Smoke free North East

Welcome to Fresh,
Smoke Free North East.

LATEST - TWO reports have revealed how a major programme in the North East and North West has made a dent in the illegal tobacco market since 2009 and encouraged more organisations to tackle it. The North of England Tackling Illegal Tobacco for Better Health Programme has resulted in less illegal tobacco being bought and sold on estates, fewer people turning a blind eye and more action aimed at bringing sellers to justice

About Fresh

Fresh was the UK's first dedicated programme set up in the North East of England to tackle the worst rates of smoking related illness and death in the country.  At the heart is every child's right to grow up free of the harm caused by tobacco.

Smoking is still our biggest killer - claiming the lives of 5,500 people in the North East every year - that's more than alcohol, accidents, suicide, illegal drugs and diabetes combined. And around 13,000 children need medical attention from breathing in other people's smoke each year.

But progress is being made. The North East has had the biggest drop in smoking in England from 29% in 2005 to 22% of people in 2009.

The tobacco industry used to be free to promote smoking without restriction and still exerts considerable power. In the UK it is now fighting to protect loopholes that still allow forms of cigarette promotion.

 If you're a member of the public, please stay to find out about the work we do. If you're a partner, we hope you find it a useful resource.

Read the latest Fresh Annual Report 2010-11.

More about Fresh