'Nanny' will save thousands of lives

16/11/04
LOCAL health chiefs have welcomed government proposals announced today for a ban on smoking in restaurants, cafes and most pubs.

Cotswold and Vale Primary Care Trust (PCT) has already achieved huge success rates in helping people who want to stop smoking. Last year, 942 people in the PCT area stopped smoking for at least four weeks, exceeding the target set by the Department of Health by almost twenty per cent.

"I know there will be complaints from some people that the government is turning us into a 'nanny state' and telling people how to live their lives," said Chief Executive Richard James.

"But in this case, 'nanny' will be helping to save thousands of lives."

Earlier this year, nearly 24,000 people in the southwest took part in the Big Smoke Debate. More than half said that tobacco smoke in public places bothered them 'a great deal', with only nine percent saying it did not bother them at all.

Eighty-one percent of those completing the survey said that they would support a law to make all workplaces smoke free.

Public Health Manager, Toni Smith, said: "We work very closely with our GPs and with Gloucestershire Smoking Advisory Service (GSAS), which provides advice, support and training.

"It is these firm relationships that have enabled practices to go that extra mile to help people give up smoking."

Almost all of the Cotswold and Vale GP surgeries provide smoking advice to any patient who wants it and in addition, the PCT has run several incentive schemes to encourage more people to quit.

A series of workshops in Stroud youth clubs were set up to raise awareness of the risks of smoking and, to coincide with No Smoking Day on 10 March, the PCT teamed up with Stroud and Cotswold District Councils to offer 'quitters' free access to exercise facilities.

Recognising that the Cotswold and Vale area has a higher than average population of older people, the PCT has also set up support sessions specifically aimed at people aged over 65.

This has proved a real hit; over two thirds of those who received advice successfully gave up smoking and this represents eight percent of the total number of quitters throughout Cotswold and Vale as a whole.

Dr Charles Buckley, GP at Frampton, said: "Our GPs have realised that helping people to give up smoking is a high priority and we are committed to developing innovative ideas to do this."

Anyone wanting more information about the risks of smoking, or for advice and support on how to give up, can speak to their GP or contact GSAS on 01452 429345.