Strategy launched in Bristol to reduce smoking in homes
The Bristol Partnership – a city-wide partnership of 30 organisations including Bristol PCT and Bristol City Council - are taking action to reduce the health damage caused by secondhand smoke in the home.
Strategy for Smokefree Homes in Bristol (PDF, 230K)
It is estimated that 10,700 people die in the UK each year because of exposure to tobacco smoke, and more than 17,000 children under five are admitted to hospital because of respiratory illness caused by exposure to tobacco smoke.
Bristol agencies are working together to raise awareness of the dangers of secondhand smoke and to support people in making their homes smokefree. Staff are already being trained to actively give advice on smokefree homes as well as distribute resources. Home smoking data is also being collected by health visitors. The Bristol Partnership believes that once family and friends are aware of the risk then smokefree homes will become the norm.
Hugh Annett, Director of Public Health in Bristol said: "There is a clear link between exposure to smoking in the home and death, disease and disability. Children are particularly vulnerable to tobacco smoke and therefore it is important that we do all we can to reduce their exposure".
For further details about the strategy, training or resources please contact Kirsty Hulme-Jones 0117 900 2207 in the Public Health Directorate at Bristol PCT.