Northumberland Tobacco Control Alliance
Summary Report of Local Alliance Work 2006/07
Summary Report of Local Alliance Work 2005/06
Tobacco control work in Northumberland is being managed through a logical framework approach. The strategy has an overarching goal and 3 main purposes that fit with the 3 essential components of a tobacco control strategy cessation, prevention and protection:
Goal: To reduce tobacco consumption and exposure
Purposes:
1. To increase the number of smokers who quit
2. To reduce the uptake of smoking
3. To increase smoke-free public places
Much tobacco work in Northumberland is undertaken in partnership with NHS agencies and local authorities. Northumberland has a county council and 6 local authorities.
Specific initiatives underway are listed below:
Healthy People Healthy Business Award
This Northumberland scheme for workplaces in facilitated by Maureen Shepherd in the Health Improvement team. The award has 3 levels - at Bronze, the workplace must have a no-smoking policy and by the time they progress through the Silver level and reach Gold, they must be smoke-free.
To date 17 workplaces have achieved Bronze level, 10 have achieved Silver and there are 6 are working towards the Gold award.
National Clean Air Award
This is a new scheme being implemented locally via the Healthy People Healthy Business Award and through the support of the Environmental Health departments of all 6 local authorities - Alnwick, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Blyth Valley, Castle Morpeth, Tynedale and Wansbeck. There are two levels - Silver and Gold - establishments must submit a written policy stating that their buildings are smoke-free at Silver and their buildings and grounds must be smoke-free for the Gold award.
So far 6 establishments have achieved this award in Northumberland - 3 Silver and 3 Gold.
Smoke Free School Award
This is a Northumberland and Tyne and Wear initiative, which has been available in Northumberland for three years. There are two levels to the award - the Standard award requires schools to be completely smoke-free, buildings and grounds, to all people at all times, and to have a written policy to this effect. Schools can then progress to the Gold award whereby they must provide a small portfolio of evidence to show how they have progressed as a smoke-free school e.g. curriculum work on smoking, peer education, helping parents to quit.
In 2005, there are 62 Northumberland schools that hold the standard award and one that has Gold.
Castle Morpeth Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) - Healthy Communities Group
Working towards a smoke-free community has been identified in this groups priorities. The group are currently undergoing an action-planning exercise, building in specific measures and outcomes for a smoke-free Castle Morpeth.
Wansbeck Initiative (LSP) - Quality of Life Group
Smoke free public places has been recognised as an important issue by this group. Healthy Living Centre staff are trained in smoking cessation brief intervention and referrals.
Wansbeck qualify for Neighbourhood Renewal Funding. Some of this was recently spent on a young people, smoking and drama initiative, facilitated by the young persons worker at the Healthy Living Centres.
Summary Report of Wansbeck Work 2006/07
Blyth Valley Borough Council
Northumberland Care Trust's Health Improvement team are working with Blyth Valley Borough Council on the Healthy People Healthy Business Award, which includes work on a no-smoking policy. They aim to conduct a staff survey on smoking in the workplace.
Smoke Free Blyth Valley
The Health Improvement officer is working in partnership with local residents at the Millfield Gardens Community House on the Hodgson’s Road estate. Children from the Crafty Kidz art group have produced a DVD to demonstrate what they have learned about the effects of smoking on health. “Like a Chimney” will be available from Health Improvement together with an information pack with ideas on activities for engaging with young people to tackle smoking and health issues.
Smoke Free Soccer
North Northumberland Health Improvement Team has facilitated 2 phases of their Smoke Free Soccer initiative with young people. The approach is being built into work in Alnwick through the Extended Schools Scheme.
Berwick-upon-Tweed Sure Start
The Sure Start Health Visitor has conducted a survey with families in the area to find out which places they visit and whether they are "Family-Friendly" - the main criteria being whether they offer smoke-free areas. One hundred families responded and establishments are being contacted with a view to including them in a brochure, "The Family-Friendly Guide to Berwick Borough".
Northumberland Stop Smoking Service
This is a countywide NHS service for people who would like to quit smoking. Clients can access group or individual support from the specialist team or can see trained advisors at their doctors surgery or pharmacy. Treatments are available to help the person to quit and can be obtained on prescription via this treatment and support programme.
The service has been functioning for over 5 years and has helped almost 9000 people to quit for at least 4 weeks.
Contact the Northumberland Stop Smoking Service on 01670 813135.
Contact
The Tobacco Control Coordinator for Northumberland is Kerry Lynch. She is employed by Northumberland Care Trust and is the lead manager for tobacco issues as well as the manager of the county-wide Stop Smoking Service. For details about tobacco-related work in Northumberland, contact Kerry at:
Northumberland Care Trust
Epsom Drive
Ashington
Northumberland
NE63 8BD
Tel: 01670 813135
Fax: 01670 813042
